Israel Idonije (born November 17, 1980) is a retired
Nigerian
Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jour ...
-
Canadian
Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...
defensive end
Defensive end (DE) is a defensive position in the sport of gridiron football.
This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations over the years have substantially changed how the position is ...
in the
National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL is one of the ...
and actor. Idonije was signed as an undrafted free agent by the
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland. Named after original coach and co-founder Paul Brown, they compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (A ...
out of the
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba (U of M, UManitoba, or UM) is a Canadian public research university in the province of Manitoba.[Ottawa Renegades
The Ottawa Renegades were a Canadian Football League franchise based in Ottawa, Ontario founded in 2002, six years after the storied Ottawa Rough Riders folded. After four seasons, the Renegades franchise was suspended indefinitely by the league d ...](_blank)
of the
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League (CFL; french: Ligue canadienne de football—LCF) is a professional sports league in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football. The league consists of nine teams, each located in a ci ...
, for whom he never played a game, Idonije spent the start of the 2003 season on the Browns' practice squad prior to his release in September. He was subsequently signed to the
Chicago Bears' practice squad for the final six weeks of the season.
He has also played for the
Detroit Lions,
Chicago Bears, and
New York Giants.
Early years
Idonije was born in
Lagos
Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national capital of Nigeria until December 1991 fo ...
,
Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
and immigrated with his family to
Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, when he was four years old. He attended
Vincent Massey High School
Vincent Massey High School is a high school in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, and part of the Brandon School Division. The school opened in 1960 and it currently has more than 1100 students. The school is named for former Governor General of Canada V ...
in Brandon and, though he had never played football and was reluctant, coach Kevin Grindey convinced him to play when the school restarted its
Canadian football
Canadian football () is a sport played in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed oval-shaped ball into the opposing team's scoring area ( ...
program in 1997, when Idonije was a senior in high school. He went on to play
CIS football for the
Manitoba Bisons
The Manitoba Bisons are the athletic teams that represent the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The football team plays their games at Investors Group Field. The soccer team play their home games at the University of Manit ...
. During this time he worked as a
daycare
Child care, otherwise known as day care, is the care and supervision of a child or multiple children at a time, whose ages range from two weeks of age to 18 years. Although most parents spend a significant amount of time caring for their child(r ...
teacher in
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the province of Manitoba in Canada. It is centred on the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, near the longitudinal centre of North America. , Winnipeg had a city population of 749,6 ...
, played in the
East-West Shrine Game
East West (or East and West) may refer to:
*East–West dichotomy, the contrast between Eastern and Western society or culture
Arts and entertainment
Books, journals and magazines
*''East, West'', an anthology of short stories written by Salma ...
, and was drafted 17th overall by the
Ottawa Renegades
The Ottawa Renegades were a Canadian Football League franchise based in Ottawa, Ontario founded in 2002, six years after the storied Ottawa Rough Riders folded. After four seasons, the Renegades franchise was suspended indefinitely by the league d ...
in the
2003 CFL Draft
The 2003 CFL Draft took place on Wednesday, April 30, 2003. 53 players were chosen for Canadian Football League teams from among the eligible CIS football players from Canadian universities, as well as Canadian players playing in the NCAA. Of the ...
. At Manitoba from 2000–02, Idonije recorded 16 sacks which stands fourth all-time in Bison history. He helped lead the Bison to the 2001
Vanier Cup
The Vanier Cup (french: Coupe Vanier) is the championship of Canadian university football. It is organized by U Sports football and is currently played between the winners of the Uteck Bowl and the Mitchell Bowl. It is named after Georges Vanier ...
where Manitoba was defeated by the Saint Mary's Huskies. In 2002, Idonije was named 2002 Manitoba Male Athlete of the Year. His goal, however, was to play in the National Football League.
Professional career
NFL combine
Idonije was not invited to the NFL Combine, but appeared on his own to distribute tapes of his years at
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba (U of M, UManitoba, or UM) is a Canadian public research university in the province of Manitoba.[Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland. Named after original coach and co-founder Paul Brown, they compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (A ...](_blank)
) ended up attending due to the
SARS outbreak concerns at the time.
Cleveland Browns
As a rookie in 2003, Idonije was signed by the Browns as an
undrafted free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under contract at present but who is a ...
, and put on Cleveland's practice squad.
He was waived by the Browns midway through the season.
Chicago Bears
Idonije was obtained by the
Chicago Bears as a practice squad player late in the 2003 season and made the final roster the following year. Idonije also played
gunner on the punt coverage team.
In 2006, Idonije became a
restricted free agent
A restricted free agent (RFA) is a type of free agent in the National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL), or National Basketball Association (NBA). Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain ...
and the
Buffalo Bills attempted to sign him, but the Bears retained him by matching their offer. During the
2007 NFL Season, Idonije had three consecutive games with a blocked field goal or extra point. In 2008, Idonije set career highs in sacks (3.5), tackles (22), and passes defenced (6). In May 2009, signed a two-year, $7 million contract extension with the Bears. On December 30, 2009 Idonije was placed on injured reserve due to a foot injury.
In 2010, week 5 at the
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers compete in the National Football League (NFL), as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) South division. ...
, Idonije recorded 3 sacks.
In 2011, in week 15 against the
Seattle Seahawks, Idonije scored his first NFL touchdown after a fumble recovery in the end zone after
Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris D'Andre Jackson (April 21, 1983 – April 12, 2020) was an American football quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). Jackson played college football for both Alabama State and Arkansas. He played professionally for the ...
had the ball stripped by
Julius Peppers
Julius Frazier Peppers (born January 18, 1980) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and outside linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, ...
.
With the drafting of
Shea McClellin in 2012, Idonije was moved to defensive tackle. In the second game of the preseason against the
Washington Redskins
The Washington Commanders are a professional American football team based in the Washington metropolitan area. The Commanders compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) N ...
, Idonije recorded 2½ sacks on rookie and
Heisman Trophy winner
Robert Griffin III
Robert Lee Griffin III (born February 12, 1990), nicknamed RG3 and RGIII, is an American football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football at Baylor, where he won the Heisman Trophy as a senior, and was selected second overa ...
. Idonije would once again record 2½ sacks in week three against the
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams were a professional American football team of the National Football League (NFL). They played in St. Louis from 1995 to the 2015 season, before moving back to Los Angeles, where the team had played from 1946 to 1994.
The arr ...
. Idonije ended the season with 40 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and a forced fumble, and he was later named to the
USA Today All-Joe Team.
Detroit Lions
On June 25, 2013, Idonije signed a one-year contract with the
Detroit Lions.
Idonije recorded 11 tackles and half a sack during the season.
Second stint with Bears
On March 18, 2014, Idonije signed a one-year deal to return to the Bears.
The Bears released him on June 19, 2014.
New York Giants
Idonije signed with the
New York Giants on August 5, 2014. He was released on August 30, 2014.
Outside football
Athlitacomics
Idonije revealed his new comic, ''The Protectors'', at its soft launch during the New York Comic Con in October 2012. He came up with the idea at the Chicago Bears training camp in 2007. The Protectors, set in the future, is based around a group of super athletes who learn they are blessed with super powers that help protect humanity. Idonije brought on writer Ron Marz and artist Bart Sears to complete the project. Idonije will be publishing the comic through the publishing company he founded, Athleta Comics.
Athleta Comics is part of Athleta Entertainment.
''The Protectors'' issue #0 made its debut at C2E2 in Chicago, April 26–28, 2013. Issue #1 is scheduled to come out in September 2013.
Idonije also created ''Sports Heroes showcasing athletes through comic artistry, and Athlitacomics became an NFLPA licensee. Sports Heroes can be found on the first of its kind consumable NFLPI licensed product.
Idonije launched his DreamKidz Love book series to promote social and emotional awareness for children. His first book "I Love Me (Izzy Cover) was released on Amazon on January 24, 2017.
Prior to the
2018 NFL season
The 2018 NFL season was the 99th season of the National Football League (NFL) and the 53rd of the Super Bowl era. The season began on September 6, 2018, with the NFL Kickoff Game with defending Super Bowl LII champion Philadelphia defeating ...
, Idonije and Athlitacomics formed a partnership with the Bears to create a "Monsters of the Midway" comic universe to promote the Bears' 2018 schedule.
Ask The Doctor
Idonije along with serial entrepreneur, Prakash Chand founded medical question and answer service
Ask The Doctor
Ask The Doctor is a medical information website that was founded in Toronto, Canada.
The platform was co-founded by Dr. Patrick A. Golden, Dikembe Mutombo, Israel Idonije, Q Dhalla and Prakash Chand.
History
Ask The Doctor was founded in 2014 ...
A portal allowing anyone, anywhere immediate access to a doctor.
Idonije and Ask The Doctor recently announced a scholarship fund for students entering 1st year of an accredited American or Canadian college or university, or exceptional high school graduates or high school drop outs looking to start a digital health company.
iF Charities
Idonije established iF Charities, formerly known as the Israel Idonije Foundation
in 2007. It is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. It serves communities in Chicago, Winnipeg and West Africa - all the places Idonije has called home. iF Charities offers several core programs, projects, and events.
Blessed Communion
Idonije started Blessed Communion in 2009. Blessed Communion manufactures dual-chambered, pre-filled Communion cups for individuals, churches and other religious organizations.
The Bureau Chicago
Idonije opened up an office, meeting and business event space in the South Loop.
Order of Manitoba
Manitoba Lieutenant-Governor
Philip S. Lee announced on May 12, 2014 that Idonije is to be inducted into the
Order of Manitoba. The ceremony took place at the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg on May 21, 2014.
Chicago Red Stars
On March 1, 2021, the
Chicago Red Stars
The Chicago Red Stars are a professional women's soccer club based in Bridgeview, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. A founding member of the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league, they have played in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) sin ...
of the
National Women's Soccer League announced that Idonije had joined the women's soccer team's ownership group.
References
External links
Chicago Bears bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Idonije, Israel
1980 births
American football defensive ends
American football defensive tackles
Black Canadian players of American football
Canadian expatriate American football people in the United States
Canadian expatriate sportspeople in Germany
Canadian sportspeople of Nigerian descent
Canadian players of American football
Chicago Bears players
Detroit Lions players
Living people
Manitoba Bisons football players
Members of the Order of Manitoba
Naturalized citizens of Canada
New York Giants players
Nigerian expatriates in Germany
Nigerian expatriates in the United States
Nigerian emigrants to Canada
Nigerian players of American football
Nigerian players of Canadian football
Sportspeople from Brandon, Manitoba
Sportspeople from Lagos
Ed Block Courage Award recipients
Chicago Red Stars owners