Topic: Samkon Gado

Samkon Kaltho Gado (born November 13, 1982 in Kufai, Nigeria) is an American football running back for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Liberty. Gado is member of the samantia club Gado has also played for the Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins.

Gado moved to Columbia, South Carolina from Nigeria when he was nine years old. He attended Ben Lippen High School in Columbia, where he was a four-sport letterwinner (football, track, soccer, and basketball).

Gado posted 10 games of over 200 yards as a high school football running back. His head coach, Marty Simpson, was a former stand-out place-kicker and punter for the University of South Carolina from 1990-1995. His Athletic Director, Bill Currier, played nine seasons in the N.F.L. for the Oilers, Patriots, and Giants. He was named Athlete of the Year as a junior, rushing for 2,100 yards and 31 touchdowns. He served as team captain in his senior campaign. His high school teammates referred to him as the "Nigerian Nightmare," the nickname of former Kansas City Chief running back Christian Okoye. Gado donned the jersey number 35 out of respect for Okoye while in Green Bay and Houston.