Irish In The NFL: Romeo Okwara, Notre Dame Renaissance Man

Former Notre Dame defensive end Romeo Okwara signed a partially guaranteed, two-year, $6.8-million contract with the Detroit Lions in March.

Through six games this season for the 2-3-1 Lions, he has compiled 12 tackles, half a sack and five quarterback hits. He has also blown up off of the field due to his personality.

Okwara has made headlines this year for his choices in fashion, music and art, which has garnered him features in ESPN, Inside Hook and GQ.

ESPN covered the debut of his photo exhibition that honored firefighters of Rescue 2 in Brooklyn.

His interest in photography actually started while he was a player at Notre Dame.

“It’s always something I’ve been interested in,” Okwara said during an interview with the Notre Dame Alumni Association in October. “I think I bought a camera when I was here in my junior year, just to document me and my friends on campus doing stupid things.

“It evolved when I got to New York and bought a film camera and took it a little more serious from there.”

Another passion of his that began during his time in South Bend is his appreciation for the Grateful Dead.

“I had a professor here that was a Deadhead and he came bursting into class one day, talking about the Grateful Dead,” he said. “I was like, ‘Who’s this band this guy is freaking out about?’ I researched them, because I’m such a big music fan, learned about the music and then I started going to shows, and it’s a cool thing to go to.”

Okwara said he has been to roughly 15 of the band’s concerts since.

Most recently, GQ explored his tastes in art and fashion, especially his psychedelically stylish clothing (note: every article of clothing he was photographed in comes from his closet).

“I went to school with people that take a lot of risks and it’s cool being around those type of people,” Okwara told GQ regarding his fashion sense. “It pushes you to take risks. At the end of the day, are you gonna judge someone for wearing a piece of clothing? You’re just wearing clothes.

“You can have a good fit, or you can have a bad fit. It doesn’t really matter. You’re learning at the same time, too. You got to take those risks.”

Given his eclectic group of interests, coupled with his talent on the gridiron, it’s hard to not see Okwara as a modern-day renaissance man, even if he is just following his passions.

Here is how former Notre Dame players fared during week seven of the NFL season:

• Alex Bars (Played at Notre Dame from 2014-18), OG, Chicago Bears: Was signed from the 3-3 Bears practice squad, but he was inactive in the team's 36-25 loss to the 6-1 New Orleans Saints.

• Miles Boykin (2015-18), WR, Baltimore Ravens: Was targeted two times for two catches and 55 yards in the 5-2 Ravens' 30-16 road win versus the 5-2 Seattle Seahawks … For the season, he has nine receptions for 131 yards and two scores.

• Sheldon Day (2012-15), DL, San Francisco 49ers: Recorded one tackle in the 6-0 49ers’ 9-0 road win over the 1-6 Washington Redskins … Compiled six tackles in the team’s first six contests.

• Tyler Eifert (2009-12), TE, Cincinnati Bengals: Was targeted two times and had two catches for 10 yards in the 0-7 Bengals’ 27-17 home loss to the 3-4 Jacksonville Jaguars … Has 17 catches for 118 yards and one touchdown through seven games.

• Matthias Farley (2011‑15), DB, New York Jets: Played on special teams in the 1-5 Jets’ 33-0 loss to the 7-0 New England Patriots … Has not played a defensive snap since being picked up by New York at the end of the preseason.

• Will Fuller (2013-15), WR, Houston Texans: Snagged one catch for six yards in the 4-3 Texans’ 30-23 road loss to the 4-2 Indianapolis Colts … He missed the majority of the game with a hamstring injury... Has 34 receptions for 450 yards and three touchdowns through six games.

• Bennett Jackson (2010-13), DB, Baltimore Ravens: Was signed by the Ravens and saw action in the win at Seattle … Finished the game with two tackles on special teams ... This was his first NFL game and tackles after overcoming several career setbacks.

• J.J. Jansen (2004-07), LS, Carolina Panthers: The 4-2 Panthers had a bye … Has played in every game this season.

• Ben Koyack (2011-14), TE, Jacksonville Jaguars: Played on 43 offensive snaps in the 3-4 Jaguars 27-17 road win over the 0-7 Bengals ... This was his second game of the season after getting signed two weeks ago.

• TJ Jones (2010‑13), WR, Free Agent: Was cut by the New York Giants to make room for Golden Tate, who returned from a four-game suspension … For the season, he has three receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown … Has yet to be signed by a new team, but reportedly worked out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week.

• DeShone Kizer (2014-16), QB, Oakland Raiders: Inactive for the 3-3 Raiders’ 42-24 road loss to the 6-1 Green Bay Packers … Has yet to see game action since joining the team at the end of the preseason.

• Julian Love (2015-18), CB, New York Giants: Was active this week for 2-5 New York’s 27-21 loss to the 3-3-1 Arizona Cardinals … Played on 11 special teams snaps.

• Nick Martin (2011-15), OL, Houston Texans: For the seventh game in a row, he played 100 percent of the offensive snaps at center in the 4-3 Texans’ 30-23 road loss against the 4-2 Indianapolis Colts.

• Zack Martin (2009-13), OL, Dallas Cowboys: Was named to the Pro Football Focus Week Seven Team of the Week after the 4-3 Cowboys’ 37-10 win over the 3-4 Philadelphia Eagles ... Allowed zero pressures on 31 pass-blocking attempts.

• Mike McGlinchey (2013-17), OL, San Francisco 49ers: Did not play in the 49ers' win over the Redskins due to arthroscopic surgery on his left knee ... Will miss four to six weeks … Had started at right tackle in each of San Francisco’s first four contests.

• Quenton Nelson (2014-17), OL, Indianapolis Colts: Played 100 percent of the 4-2 Colts’ offensive snaps in their win over the Texans … Had a few great blocks, including the one below.

• Romeo Okwara (2012-15), DE, Detroit Lions: Recorded one tackle and two quarterback hits in the 2-3-1 Lions’ 42-30 home loss to the 5-2 Minnesota Vikings … For the season, he has 12 tackles, half a sack and a forced fumble.

• C.J. Prosise (2012-15), RB, Seattle Seahawks: Had one carry for 17 yards in the 5-2 Seahawks’ 30-16 home loss to the 5-2 Baltimore Ravens … Has 13 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown, plus nine receptions for 66 yards, through seven contests.

• Isaac Rochell (2013-16), DT, Los Angeles Chargers: Had three tackles (0.5 for loss) in the 2-5 Chargers’ 23-20 road loss to the 3-4 Tennessee Titans … For the season, he has eight tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack.

• Kyle Rudolph (2008-10), TE, Minnesota Vikings: Hauled in five passes for 58 yards and a touchdown in the 5-2 Vikings’ 42-30 road win over the 2-3-1 Detroit Lions … For the season, he has 14 receptions for 130 yards and one touchdown.

• Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings: Notched seven tackles in the Vikings’ win at Detroit … For the season, he has 41 tackles, one forced fumble and one interception.

• Jaylon Smith (2013-15), LB, Dallas Cowboys: Registered seven tackles (four solo) and one pass deflection in the blowout of division rival Philadelphia … Tied for 13th in the NFL with 56 tackles.

• Durham Smythe (2013-17), TE, Miami Dolphins: Targeted once with no catches during the 0-6 Dolphins 31-21 road loss to the 5-1 Buffalo Bills … For the season, he has one reception for 24 yards.

• Ronnie Stanley (2012-15), OT, Baltimore Ravens: Despite being questionable before the game, played every offensive snap at left tackle during Baltimore’s win at Seattle ... Pro Football Focus had him as the highest-graded tackle when it comes to pass protection prior to the game … Has started each of the first seven contests at left tackle.

• Golden Tate (2007-09), WR, New York Giants: In his third game back from a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, he was targeted 11 times and had six receptions for 80 yards in the Giants’ loss to the Cardinals ... Has 15 catches for 195 yards and one touchdown on the season.

• Jerry Tillery (2015-18), DT, Los Angeles Chargers: Recorded no stats in Los Angeles’ loss at Tennessee …. For the season, he has compiled five tackles and 1.5 sacks.

• Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Los Angeles Chargers: Registered one tackle in the Chargers’ defeat at the hands of the Titans … Has 18 tackles through seven games.

• Stephon Tuitt (2011-13), DE, Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers had a bye ... Due to a torn pectoral muscle, he is out for the season... Before his injury, he was tied for 19th in the NFL in sacks (3.5) and tied for sixth in tackles for loss (seven), plus has made 22 tackles.

• Dexter Williams (2015-18), RB, Green Bay Packers: Was active for the Packers’ win against the Raiders and had three carries for two yards … This was the first game he was active for this season.

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