Anthony A. Okanlawon (born March 4, 1979) is a Nigerian American former professional football defensive back who played one game in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Diego Chargers. He played college football at Maryland.
| No. 34 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Defensive back | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | March 4, 1979 Lagos, Nigeria | ||||
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 187 lb (85 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | DeMatha Catholic (MD) | ||||
| College: | Maryland | ||||
| Undrafted: | 2002 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Early life and education
editOkanlawon was born on March 4, 1979, in Lagos, Nigeria.[1] He was the second-oldest of seven children.[2] He later moved to the United States where he attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Maryland and graduated in 1998, having been named first-team all-conference and honorable mention USA Today All-American as a senior.[3]
Okanlawon committed to the University of Maryland and saw immediate playing time as a true freshman, making six starts and 39 tackles.[3][4] As a sophomore in 1999, he started three games and played in a total of nine, missing several games due to a pulled hamstring.[3][4][5] Okanlawon made 26 solo tackles and 31 total, while also recording three passes defended and a fumble recovery.[3]
In the season finale of the 1999 season, Okanlawon allowed Billy McMullen to score the game-winning touchdown in the final minute, which ended any hope of Maryland making the bowl game.[2] He used the play as motivation for the 2000 season and was named Maryland's most improved player in spring drills.[3] He started eleven games as a junior, making 40 tackles and his first career interception (against Virginia).[3]
As a senior, Okanlawon started the season with an interception in each of the first two games and by the end of week five, had the national lead in interceptions.[6][7] Okanlawon missed four games due to a "medical issue", which coach Ralph Friedgen said he "was not at liberty to discuss."[8] He returned for the final game of the season, starting in a loss in the Orange Bowl to Florida.[9]
Despite missing four games, Okanlawon was named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) at the end of the year.[3] He finished the season with five interceptions and ten passes defended.[3] He finished his college career with 38 games played, 141 total tackles and six interceptions.[3]
Professional career
editAfter going unselected in the 2002 NFL draft, Okanlawon was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent.[10] In a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, he returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown to help the Chargers win 24–14.[11] He made the final roster but was inactive for the first two games, and was placed on injured reserve prior to week three, ending his season.[12]
Okanlawon was released at the final roster cuts in 2003.[13] After an injury to safety Kwamie Lassiter, he was re-signed on November 20.[14] He was inactive for each game before making his NFL debut in the 24–40 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 21.[12][15] It was the only professional game in his career.[12]
Okanlawon was waived by the Chargers on June 17, 2004.[16]
On January 5, 2006, Okanlawon was signed by the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League (AFL).[17][18] He was waived on January 17, without appearing in a game.[17][19]
References
edit- ^ "Tony Okanlawon Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ a b Barr, Josh (September 1, 2000). "Hot Corner; Memory of 1999's Disappointing Conclusion Spurs Okanlawon, Maryland in 2000 Season". The Washington Post. p. K5 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Tony Okanlawon". Maryland Terrapins. April 9, 2013.
- ^ a b "Terps' Okanlawon to play against Temple; Cornerback missed 2 weeks with pulled hamstring". The Baltimore Sun. August 31, 1999. p. 9D – via ProQuest.
- ^ Free, Bill (August 16, 1999). "Okanlawon's ailing hamstring has him 'iffy' for Terps' opener; Running back Jordan to return to practice today". The Baltimore Sun. p. 9D – via ProQuest.
- ^ Ewell, Christian (September 21, 2001). "Terrapin no longer magnet for criticism; Corner Okanlawon making big strides". The Baltimore Sun. p. D1 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Barr, Josh (October 9, 2001). "Once Picked On, Now Picking Off; Okanlawon Leads Nation in Interceptions". The Washington Post. p. D04 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Barr, Josh (October 29, 2001). "Terrapins Ponder Imperfect Future; 'Medical Issue' Keeps Okanlawon Out". The Washington Post. p. D4 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Barr, Josh (December 30, 2001). "Okanlawon May Return to Aid Secondary". The Washington Post. p. D12 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "San Diego Chargers". The World. April 25, 2002. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Hettena, Seth (August 17, 2002). "Chargers zap Hawks". Kitsap Sun. Associated Press. p. C1, C2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Tony Okanlawon Career Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ "San Diego Chargers". The Courier-News. September 1, 2003. p. 38 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "San Diego Chargers". Hartford Courant. November 20, 2003. p. 295 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Today's Rosters". Indiana Gazette. December 21, 2003. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Chargers". The Baltimore Sun. June 17, 2004. p. C8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Philadelphia Soul Team Transactions". ArenaFan.com.
- ^ "Philadelphia Soul". The Morning Call. January 7, 2006. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Philadelphia Soul". Northwest Herald. January 20, 2006. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com.
