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10 Things You Didn’t Know About Israel Idonije

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Israel Idonije

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Nigerian NFL star Israel Idonije is well-known for his contributions to the Chicago Bears as defensive end, though he has also played for the Detroit Lions and New York Giants. Idonije is currently a free agent, but his NFL career is that of a legend, especially after leading the league in blocked punts/field goals in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Idonije has a massive following and is extremely popular with NFL fans everywhere for his excitable presence on the field, particularly in Chicago, so read on for 10 things you may not have known about the defensive star.

Sources: ChicagoNow.com, NYTimes.com, IsraelIdonije.org, SportingNews.com, HuffingtonPost.com, ChristopherAPage.com, ADrinkWith.com

ESPN.com
ESPN.com

Idonije was born in Lagos, Nigeria, but immigrated to Canada at the age of four

Idonije is a Nigerian native, but moved with his family to Brandon in Manitoba, Canada at the age of four. However, he maintains close ties with his roots in West Africa, as well as his adopted homes in Winnipeg and Chicago, Illinois, where he played the majority of his career.

Commons.Wikimedia.org
Commons.Wikimedia.org

He didn’t start playing football until his senior year in high school

Idonije was originally reluctant to play football, but was convinced by his school’s head coach, Kevin Grindey, to try out for the team when his school in Brandon, Manitoba restarted its program in 1997.

BlackEnterprise.org
BlackEnterprise.org

As a kid, Idonije wanted to play in the NBA

When he was 13, Idonije admits to writing in his journal that he was going to play for the Chicago Bulls in the NBA. He also names Michael Jordan as one of his all-time heroes, and the number one celebrity he would like to hang out with.

Source: ChicagoNow.com

AmazonAWS.com
AmazonAWS.com

He briefly worked as a daycare teacher

While playing CIS football for the Manitoba Bisons, Idonije worked as a daycare teacher in Winnipeg, Manitoba. After playing in the East-West Shrine Game, he was drafted as the 17th overall pick to the now defunct Ottawa Renegades in the 2003 CFL Draft, though he would never go on to play for them.

Canoe.ca
Canoe.ca

Idonije is a huge Michael Jackson fan

While working out, getting ready for a big game, or really doing almost anything, Idonije admits to listening to Michael Jackson. When asked what his life’s theme song would be, he wasn’t able to pinpoint a specific song, but knew it would absolutely be something from the King of Pop.

Source: ADrinkWith.com

NFLCanada.Wordpress.com
NFLCanada.Wordpress.com

He wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine, but showed up anyway to talk to scouts

Idonije decided to crash the NFL Combine, despite not being invited. He distributed tapes of his football years at the University of Manitoba, and set up meetings with nine NFL team scouts.

LottenBShow.com
LottenBShow.com

Idonije almost missed his chance at the NFL due to concerns over the SARS outbreak

Though Idonije impressed many teams with his tapes, most of the teams’ scouts that were scheduled to fly to the University of Manitoba to watch him play bailed at the last minute due to concerns over the SARS outbreak at the time. Only the Cleveland Browns ended up attending, and signed him to their practice squad. Idonije would later be released from the squad and would be picked up by the Chicago Bears.

NBCChicago.com
NBCChicago.com

He has a comic series called “The Protectors”

As he was adjusting to a new culture, Idonije fixated on comic books growing up. He was known for ceaselessly doodling, but had no formal training when he decided to create his own comic book series known as “The Protectors.” The series follows a group of professional athletes that realize they have superpowers and work to protect the human race, in between games, of course.

ESPN.com
ESPN.com

He owns a business that manufactures and sells pre-filled communion cups

Blessed Communion is another business enterprise of Idonije’s that manufactures and sells pre-filled communion cups around the world. Ten percent of the profits are rolled back into the company’s own non-profit called Blessed Community that works to build churches in communities that wouldn’t be otherwise able to afford them, and helps fund missionaries to travel the world doing mission work.

Bears.Clubs.NFL.com
Bears.Clubs.NFL.com

Idonije’s foundation, The Israel Idonije Foundation, serves underserved communities in all of the places that he has called home

The Israel Idonije Foundation serves communities in Chicago, Winnipeg, and West Africa in a variety of programs, all focused on providing social and emotional life skills. He credits the inspiration for the foundation to growing up in a missionary household, saying in an internview, “Service is something I have always been a part of and I am thankful for the opportunity to share with others.”

Source: ChicagoNow.com