CJ Okoye, defensive lineman for the Los Angeles Chargers, collected a sack in the first preseason game. The Nigerian native came to the Californians through the International Pathway Program and had never played a professional football game before.

Few minutes remained in the first preseason game of the new NFL season between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Los Angeles Rams when CJ Okoye made his way to Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett and brought him down with a tackle.

It was Okoye’s first sack of the game – and also of his American football career. The Nigerian native, who joined the Chargers this offseason through the International Pathway Program, had never before taken to the turf in a professional football game in America.

Staley praises Okoye sack: “This is historic “

“That’s historic. He’s never played in a game before and then he’s got a sack right now. All of us on the sidelines were delighted. A memorable moment, he definitely gets a game ball,” praised Head Coach Brandon Staley.

“We were all ticking off, that was awesome,” said teammate Morgan Fox after the game.

Okoye has only been playing football for three years and was discovered at a sighting camp in Nigeria.