Strapping on the pads
Ex-Hurricanes lineman Kay Okafor aims to make Tiger-Cats
Former Holland College defensive lineman Kay Okafor is in the Hamilton Tiger-Cats training camp prepping for the CFL season, which starts June 8.
Okafor spent 2012 with the Hurricanes while attending UPEI and helped Holland College reach the Atlantic Football League championship game. He had never played the sport before coming to P.E.I. from Nigeria.
“Holland College gave me my very first opportunity with the game of football,” he said. “I will always be grateful for the amazing coaches, staff and teammates I had during my time there.
“They were very patient with me, and this helped make me love the game of football even more. In a way, I wouldn’t be where I am today without Holland College. They will always have a special place in my heart.”
After a year with the Hurricanes, Okafor moved on to the St. FX X-Men program. The six-foot-four, 278-pound Nigerian played 27 games during four years and tallied 41 total tackles and 6.5 sacks. Okafor, 24, graduated from St. FX with a business administration degree on May 7, the same day Hamilton drafted him in the third round, 21st overall. Hurricanes president Michael O’Grady said the team is very proud of Kay’s accomplishments, both on the field and in the classroom.
“We knew he had special abilities and tremendous potential the day he walked into our training camp,” he said. “We wish him all the best as he pursues his career. We are confident that he will be a success wherever his interests take him.”