Christian Okoye, right, hands a signed photo to Kaden Moore, center left, and Noah Kees, right, during an event with the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 2, 2023, at the exchange at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Okoye played for the Chiefs from 1987 to 1992. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Growing up in Kansas City, Mo., Danielle Ward watched Chiefs football games with her grandmother every Sunday.

Her grandma’s favorite player? None other than the “Nigerian Nightmare,” running back Christian Okoye. Ward met Okoye when the Chiefs visited London in 2015, but she forgot something important: her Okoye jersey.

On Thursday, Ward wore the jersey and finally got it signed by Okoye at an NFL event on base ahead of the matchup between the Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in Frankfurt.

“It just solidifies that core, happy memory of watching Chiefs games with her on Sundays and how much she loved the Chiefs and how much I do, too,” Ward said. “It’s kind of awesome to have that come full circle.”

Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Christian Okoye signs Danielle Ward's jersey Nov. 2, 2023, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Ward said Okoye was her grandmother's favorite player. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Okoye greeted service members and others along with the Chiefs cheerleaders and the team mascot, K.C. Wolf, at the base food court.

A steady line of fans collected autographs and took photos for an hour and a half, with a short pause to allow the cheerleaders to perform and for a Chiefs trivia session.

Okoye received a lot of attention. The running back played all six of his NFL seasons in Kansas City, finishing his career as the franchise’s leading rusher at the time, with 4,897 yards. He is currently fourth on the franchise’s career list.

Drafted in the second round in 1987, Okoye had his best season in 1989, when he was an All-Pro selection and earned the first of his two Pro Bowl honors. He amassed 1,480 yards on 370 carries and scored 12 touchdowns that season.

That Chiefs squad ended its season against the Miami Dolphins. The same two teams this year find themselves among the best in football as they meet Sunday at Deutsche Bank Park, the home of Bundesliga soccer club Eintracht Frankfurt.

Staff Sgt. Hector Hernandez of the 66th Transportation Company holds up the winning raffle ticket during an event with the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 2, 2023, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Hernandez received two tickets to the Chiefs' game against the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 5 in Frankfurt. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Staff Sgt. Hector Hernandez of the 66th Transportation Company, center, poses with former Kansas City Chiefs running back Christian Okoye, center left, team mascot K.C. Wolf and Chiefs cheerleaders on Nov. 2, 2023, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Hernandez won a pair of tickets to see the Chiefs face the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 5 in Frankfurt. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Also on Thursday, two tickets to the game were raffled off to service members. Army Staff Sgt. Hector Hernandez of the 66th Transportation Company took home the grand prize.

Originally from California, Hernandez became a fan of the Chiefs while stationed at Fort Riley in Kansas. He said he’s looking forward to going to the game with his son, Andy.

“That’s something I’m not going to forget,” Hernandez said. “It’s going to be something special for me.”

Hernandez’s fandom began around the same time as the Chiefs’ offense became one of the best in the NFL under coach Andy Reid, with the big-play ability of quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Kansas City Chiefs cheerleaders perform Nov. 2, 2023, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Kansas City plays the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 5 at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Yet when asked about his favorite player, Hernandez struggled to choose.

“All of them are my favorite,” Hernandez said. “It’s hard to say because all of them contribute to winning and driving this team to victory.

“But if I have to pick, I’ll say (tight end Travis) Kelce.”

Kelce has become one of the most popular players in the game by jersey sales ever since music megastar Taylor Swift began showing up to his games. Swift hasn’t announced whether she’ll be in the Frankfurt stands this weekend.

Taleah Lane, center, poses with Kansas City cheerleaders Taylor, left, and Regan, right, during an autograph signing Nov. 2, 2023, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)