Former Texan Amobi Okoye signs with Ottawa in CFL

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After being out of the game while dealing with the aftermath of a life-threatening illness, former Texans starting defensive tackle Amobi Okoye is back on a football team.

Okoye officially signed with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League on Monday.

"Amobi is excited about the opportunity to play football again," agent Darin Morgan said in a text message. "We appreciate Ottawa's strong interest in Amobi, and he looks forward to reporting to camp later this month."

Okoye was in a medically induced coma for three months three years ago after dealing with seizures caused by a rare autoimmune syndrome called anti-NDMA receptor encephalitis.

Okoye had convulsions during workouts.

The former Texans 2007 first-round draft pick lost roughly 80 pounds and had a 145-day memory gap from a hospital stay that ended Aug. 7, 2013.

He temporarily lost most of his ability to speak and relearned basic functions like walking and eating.

Former NFL player Amobi Okoye announces that the Houston Texans selects Notre Dame’s Nick Martin as the 50th pick in the second round of the 2016 NFL football draft, Friday, April 29, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) less Former NFL player Amobi Okoye announces that the Houston Texans selects Notre Dame’s Nick Martin as the 50th pick in the second round of the 2016 NFL football draft, Friday, April 29, 2016, in Chicago. (AP ... more Photo: Charles Rex Arbogast, Associated Press Photo: Charles Rex Arbogast, Associated Press Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close Former Texan Amobi Okoye signs with Ottawa in CFL 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

"I'm a walking miracle," said Okoye, a Katy resident who's been training at IX Innovations in Houston. "It took a while to finally diagnose what was going on with me. They never actually found a cause, but they knew how to treat it. There was a lot of trial and error.

"I don't recollect or remember anything from the time I went through the illness. I remember life before and after that period of time and I know I went through an illness and that my body was healed. It's a blessing and it tested your faith."

Okoye was a 19-year-old rookie for the Texans when he recorded a career-high 5 1/2 sacks.

He has also played for the Chicago Bears.

Okoye was cut by the Dallas Cowboys last year after being medically cleared and then spending the 2014 season on their non-football illness list.

Okoye is back up to 300 pounds, training to regain his strength and size for the rigors of football.

Once a 19-year-old rookie, Okoye has 177 career tackles, 16 sacks and three forced fumbles.

"Football is what I love to do," Okoye said. "It's a passion of mine. I'm still young and I can pursue it, so why not play? It's my passion. It's my love."