— Presented by Timberland
First step stories
Cultivating a New Craft with
Romeo Okwara
WORDS BY Kayla Curtis-Evans Photos by Mahmoud ‘Mo’ Mfinanga
Romeo Okwara’s passion for football began at just seven years old. He then dedicated his life to it, playing college football at Notre Dame before signing with the New York Giants in 2016 and continuing to play six seasons with the Detroit Lions. But the sport came along with many trials and tribulations, and Okwara faced different injuries throughout his career. After a minor MCL injury, he began to immerse himself in photography as an outlet and a means of escape, which quickly grew into a love for portraiture, direction and film.
After his second major career injury, an Achilles rupture, Okwara was required to take some downtime. Though reluctant, he saw it as another chance to dive headfirst into his new creative endeavors. Since then, he has directed his first short film, titled Shout, shot his first music video, built a photo studio and residency in Detroit called Middle Gray and he is currently earning his MFA in photography at Cranbrook Academy of Art. Continue reading about Okwara’s artistic journey and how he learned to balance his contrasting interests.
Process
FIRST STEP STORIES
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[Romeo Okwara]
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[QUESTION]
What were some of the early decisions you made that got you into photography during your off time from football?
“I've always had an appreciation for art. My uncle is a painter in Nigeria, which was sort of my first intro to someone being an artist as a career. My family placed certain pressures on me to do really well in school, and maybe become a doctor or a lawyer. But I always identified with this creative person in my family, so I maintained that part of my life. When I went to school for football at Notre Dame, I initially wanted to study architecture because that's what I was interested in in high school. I took that first step towards learning more about my creative side by choosing that major. The architecture program required a lot of time outside of the classroom, and that didn’t align with my football schedule. So I ended up switching to accounting, and I hated every second of it [laughs].”
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“After I graduated from college and moved to New York to play for the Giants, I had a little bit of money, so I bought a Leica film camera. I spent most of my time off the field studying the art of photography — I decided it was my new hobby. My second year in New York, I got injured, so I leaned on photography again. I took on a project with a local fire department in New York, documenting their old firehouse. It was a way for me to take my mind off of football and uncertainty, and it just sort of stuck.”
Pitfalls
[QUESTION]
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What challenges did you face along the way as you adjusted to a new craft and learned to channel your energy into creative endeavors?
“Back when I was focusing on football solely, I was never the five-star recruit. I was never the highly sought-after player. I was always really young. I went to college at 16, and I had to make my own way. I lived in Nigeria until I was 10, so I didn’t know what football was until I moved to this country. I got my first scholarship from Duke at the end of my junior year, and then all of the offers came flooding in after that. It brought me to Notre Dame and gave me amazing experiences, but I still really had to earn my place. I worked really hard, and after my senior year, I still didn’t get drafted. I signed in New York as a free agent and was then back at the bottom of the roster.”
“Retirement eventually felt like a decision I needed to make for myself. I did more things than I could ever dream of in my career. But I had to think about my body's longevity and what I wanted out of my life. I decided to move into my new career, which was really hard. As an athlete, you dedicate so much time, space and energy to the game. I knew my routine, but with this, I had to build my own routine. Cranbrook has helped me do that, and it’s been amazing to be around other artists. But I think that's the most challenging thing right now, is figuring out what this whole film and photography journey will look like.”
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[QUESTION]
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What tools were instrumental during your creative journey? What new tools have you discovered along the way as you’ve progressed in photography and film direction?
“That first Leica camera I mentioned. I also got started with film gear that I bought years ago.”
“My 35 millimeter camera is like my baby and, at this point, sort of feels like an extension of myself. I used it to shoot a music video for a friend during my first year at Cranbrook. That was a beautiful challenge, working with a bigger crew. I’ve also been using a lot of the materials from my playing days to build certain forms. I used my actual cast from the Achilles surgery for a sculpture. These materials were part of my life and very important to me. I don't want to just keep them on shelves. I also think that playing around with these materials helps me interact with the game in a different way.”
TOOLS
[QUESTION]
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What did this experience cost you — both financially and mentally — when you were first starting out? What costs do you face now?
“Football definitely takes a mental, emotional and physical toll on the body. While playing, you have to show up every day at your best, and the moment you stop doing that, you're getting replaced. There was a lot of pressure that we put on ourselves, and that also bleeds into your personal life. I think that's something I've been working through.”
“One cost I’m navigating right now is just the mental toll that it takes to make that switch and shed that fight mentality. I also don't want to put that same type of stress I would put on myself while playing football, as I'm entering this career path. I’m seeing growth in myself, and this moment forces me to reflect and retrain my mind.”
costs
[QUESTION]
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Who helped you along the way? Did you ask for help or find enthusiastic volunteers? I know you mentioned your first short film, Shout, was a labor of love.
“Sports taught me the importance of teamwork. You had to learn to work together, despite your differences, which naturally creates this bond between all of you.”
“With filmmaking, you literally can't do it alone. I love that aspect of it because I know what I can bring to the table, but everyone on that team is also bringing something to the table. We're all working to make this thing the best it can be.”
people
Okwara learned to adapt to change and shift his mentality.
“Football's always gonna be a part of my life, whether I like it or not. My relationship with it morphs and changes and life goes on,”
Takeaways
The former NFL player also never let fear stunt his artistic journey, rising to each new occasion (even if it scared him).
“Since my football career ended, it’s been a challenge maneuvering this transition as I define my art practice. Having played since I was 10 years old, there are old habits and ways of being that no longer serve me that I am working through as I come into my new self,”
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Takeaways
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First step stories
— Presented by Timberland
[ROMEO OKWARA]
[LAUNCHING 10.27.25]
[MIKE RUIZ SERRA]
[TRAP]
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FIRST STEP STORIES
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