Here is a short list of statements about Romeo Okwara, all of which are true. After a standout football career at Notre Dame, the Nigerian-born defensive end went undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft; three seasons later, he’s a star on the Detroit Lions, racking up a team-leading 7.5 sacks in 2018. He’s an avid photographer who, this past summer, exhibited a show of photos he took in the 20(ish) days and nights he spent at Brooklyn’s Rescue 2 firehouse. When he’s not taking timeless black-and-white photos or sacking QBs, he’s a faithful Grateful Dead fan—becoming, through the Dead & Company shows he’s attended, a certified Friend of John Mayer. All of the clothes in the following psychedelically stylish photos are his own. (It took him four hours to decide what to bring.) He’s 24 years old. And, most remarkably, this is probably the first time you’re hearing about him.

How did you originally get into style?

When I got to New York after college, I started buying clothes. All of college, I was basically wearing athletic gear. We used to make fun of athletes, [because] they had the gray sweatsuits. We used to call it the grout-fit.

When did you move over from Nigeria?

In 2005. I was 10. I got here in sixth grade.

What was your first creative outlet?

Drawing. I remember drawing in class instead of paying attention. I'd trace or draw random things in class all the time. My mom's brother is a painter. That's probably in the bloodline somewhere. I was always interested in visuals.

How did you get into the Grateful Dead?

I think it was my senior year of college. I had a professor who I didn't know was a Deadhead. It was around the time they had a farewell tour in Chicago. He busted into class one day and was like, "Guys, the Grateful Dead is doing one last tour." I've always loved music, but I'd never heard of the Grateful Dead.

I went back to my dorm after class and I looked up the Grateful Dead, and listened to a couple songs. It wasn't anything crazy to me. I was like, "Why is this guy freaking out about it?" Right after I graduated, they were playing at Alpine Valley and I just happened to be close by in Wisconsin. They were touring as Dead & Company. I was like, "This could be cool. I like John Mayer. I don't know about the Grateful Dead, but I know professor loved the Grateful Dead."