<![CDATA[British Athlete Stars At Regional Combines]]>6' 6" and 280lbs, with 10.97 100m speed, could be worth a look at the super regional combines as a DE/LB to work with. Very switched on smart kid so has the passion to succeed, always good to see these kind of stories come through in the NFL once in a while, wouldnt mind the Browns taken a chance on him and adding a bit of British grit and steel to their defense at the same time.

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British discus thrower Okoye targeting NFL dream

ESPN staff

March 31, 2013

Lawrence Okoye finished 12th in the final of the discus at London 2012 Β© AP

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British athlete Lawrence Okoye is aiming to become one of the first sportsmen from the United Kingdom to play in America's National Football League (NFL).

Okoye, 21, is over in the United States for warm-weather discus training, but has gained a second football trial in Dallas next weekend after catching the eye of several NFL teams in the original combine in Atlanta.

The British discus record holder finished 12th in the final of the London Olympics last summer and, as well as being a former London Irish academy winger, believes he has what it takes to compete in the NFL.

"I came over to the States for warm-weather training for my discus," Okoye told the Daily Mail. "But when I saw that there was an American Football Regional Combine taking place in Atlanta, I applied online. And when I passed, I went along.

"At the combine, I really stood out because of my size, strength and speed. I don't want to sound arrogant, but I was good on the day - to the point that a lot of NFL clubs began talking to me immediately on the back of it. They all see me as a defensive end, which suits me just fine.

"I've had some meetings since, and done some private workouts with some clubs, too, and already they are talking to me about contracts even before the Super Combine in Dallas next weekend. I'm talking about some of the best known and biggest teams."

Okoye admitted that, while he has always possessed a love for American football, if he earns a contract it would simply be a short-term switch and he would eventually return to the throwing circle.

"From my mid-teenage years everyone kept telling me to give American football a go, and I thought about applying for an American college scholarship when I was 16.

"I've always been a huge NFL fan for as long as I can remember and whenever I've arrived in the States the customs officers always ask me who I play for. I want to give this my best shot. It's a rare life opportunity.

"But I do not intend to quit athletics completely. The best age to be a discus thrower is your late 20s to around the 30-mark. In the Olympic final that was the average age, even though I was 20. I fully intend to return to throwing the discus when my hopeful football career ends, which could well be around the same time.

"I accept that some may question whether I can ever stick at one thing. I was good enough to be a rugby player, and I am good enough to be an international athlete, but American football has always been a dream for me… and I'm almost there."

]]>https://brownsboard.com/topic/25789/british-athlete-stars-at-regional-combinesRSS for NodeFri, 02 Oct 2026 13:14:15 GMTSun, 31 Mar 2013 19:28:07 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to British Athlete Stars At Regional Combines on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:12:28 GMT]]>

@kennel-club said:

You forgot the warm beer!!!! πŸ˜‰

He's not properly British, we just claimed him because he was good at something πŸ˜›

Born in Croydon in south London to Nigerian parents, Okoye began training full-time in the discus in September 2010 after a promising career as a junior rugby union player.[2] In his first international outing he came sixth at the 2010 World Junior Championships in Athletics. He won a gold medal at the 2011 European Athletics U23 Championships in July 2011 at the age of 19.

Nigerian parents, so presumably - without wanting to stereotype - he was brought up on chicken, rice, beans and strict discipline. Usually a good recipe for an athlete!

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/331907https://brownsboard.com/post/331907Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:12:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Athlete Stars At Regional Combines on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 08:43:05 GMT]]>

@tim-couch-pulls-out said:

The British are inferior humans. Living on a steady diet of cigarettes and biscuits does not an athlete make.

You forgot the warm beer!!!! πŸ˜‰

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/331896https://brownsboard.com/post/331896Mon, 01 Apr 2013 08:43:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Athlete Stars At Regional Combines on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 03:15:18 GMT]]>he might be a great athlete but he would have to learn a lot. getting hit playing rugby is one thing cuz guys aren't going to fly at full speed and throw all your weight with elicit force to hurt you or be hurt.

having a helmet and pads adds an element of disregard to players' mindset. wonder how he could handle someone else the same size and weight coming at him at 50 mph shoulder pads leading (i would say helmet but i know i'd get jammed for that)?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/331881https://brownsboard.com/post/331881Mon, 01 Apr 2013 03:15:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Athlete Stars At Regional Combines on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 02:58:09 GMT]]>The British are inferior humans. Living on a steady diet of cigarettes and biscuits does not an athlete make.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/331879https://brownsboard.com/post/331879Mon, 01 Apr 2013 02:58:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Athlete Stars At Regional Combines on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:57:20 GMT]]>Wow,He looks like a beast. He also played Rugby, I am sure he will welcome some contact. He would be a good late round project.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/331863https://brownsboard.com/post/331863Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:57:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Athlete Stars At Regional Combines on Sun, 31 Mar 2013 22:11:40 GMT]]>That's fast for a guy who is 290. Solid muscle. I could see him playing OLB at his size, worst case 3-4 DE.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/331844https://brownsboard.com/post/331844Sun, 31 Mar 2013 22:11:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Athlete Stars At Regional Combines on Sun, 31 Mar 2013 20:33:06 GMT]]>Woop! Guy looks like a *beast*

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/331837https://brownsboard.com/post/331837Sun, 31 Mar 2013 20:33:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Athlete Stars At Regional Combines on Sun, 31 Mar 2013 20:32:00 GMT]]>wondering if he's a relative of KC's RB in the 90s christian okoye:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Okoye

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/331836https://brownsboard.com/post/331836Sun, 31 Mar 2013 20:32:00 GMT