| No. 86, 15 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Wide receiver |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | (1977-06-03)June 3, 1977 (age 47) San Jose, California, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight: | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | The Urban School (San Francisco, California) |
| College: | UC Davis |
| NFL draft: | 2001: 5th round, 153rd pick |
| Career history | |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Onome Johnson Ojo (born June 3, 1977) is a Nigerian former professionalAmerican footballwide receiver in theNational Football League (NFL). He also played inNFL Europe. Ojo played college football atUC Davis.
Onome Ojo was born on June 3, 1977, inSan Jose, California, to Nigerian parents. His name means "gift from God" in Nigerian.[1] He attendedThe Urban School of San Francisco before going to college atUC Davis.[2] He played tennis, basketball, and soccer in high school. He didn't play football until after two years of college, when Ojo told coachBob Biggs that he was interested in playing football. “When Onome first came in the office I thought he was a basketball player and was lost,” the coach said, “Then he said he was interested in playing football. I thought he was a JC kid, so I asked him where he played. He said he had never played.”[3] During practice, Biggs said that Ojo was "a pretty impressive athlete" but was far from being a player. “He didn’t know a Go route from an Out route. He was the rawest football player I have ever seen.” Biggs said “But you could see there was something special. Plus, Onome is a very bright young man with a tremendous work ethic. He has developed his skills now to where he can catch the ball, run the routes. What he lacks is instincts, the things a lot of kids learn because they have been playing so long."[3] He appeared in five games during the season, but failed to catch as pass. The next season, he caught 18 passes for 366 yards and two touchdowns, including one of 86 yards.[1] He caught 33 passes in his senior year, gaining 865 yards and 11 touchdowns.[1]
In a pre-draft workout in front ofNational Football League (NFL) teams, only one team showed up, theNew Orleans Saints.[1] They would be the team to draft him, selecting him with the 153rd pick of the2001 NFL draft.[4][5][6] He was signed on July 17.[7] He spent time on the practice squad and inactive list for the Saints in 2001, and did not make any appearances. The following season he was sent to theRhein Fire ofNFL Europe. He played in eight games with them, catching 11 passes for 111 yards and one touchdown.[8] He was released by the Saints in 2002 at roster cuts.[9] After being released he was signed by theTampa Bay Buccaneers to the practice squad. He was later placed on injured reserve. Ojo won aSuper Bowlring after the Buccaneers defeated theOakland Raiders inSuper Bowl XXXVII. He was released the next season. He was then signed by theSan Diego Chargers, but released shortly afterwards.
After his sports career he became a police officer inRichmond, California.[10]
