Özak was born in Trabzon, and graduated from the Civil Engineering Department of Karadeniz Technical University. He was the captain of the prominent Turkish football club Trabzonspor, and once sportsman of the year.[year needed] He became chairman of the club in 1996. He was elected as an MP from Trabzon in 2009, holding the combined office of Minister of State and Minister of Youth and Sports, before the dissolution of the Minister of State position and the establishment of Ministry of Youth and Sports in 2011.[1] He is married with two children.[citation needed]