Israel Idonije
Encyclopedia
Israel Idonije is a Nigerian-Canadian
defensive end
for the National Football League
's Chicago Bears
. He was signed as an undrafted free agent
out of the University of Manitoba
. A draft pick of the now defunct Ottawa Renegades
of the Canadian Football League
, for whom he never played, Idonije spent the start 2003 season on the Cleveland Browns
' practice squad prior to his release in September. He was subsequently signed to the Bears' practice squad for the final six weeks of the season.
, Nigeria
and immigrated with his family to Brandon, Manitoba
, Canada
, when he was four years old. He attended Vincent Massey High School 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
program in 1997, when Idonije was in grade 12. He went on to play CIS football
for the Manitoba Bisons
. During this time he worked as a daycare teacher in Winnipeg, Manitoba, played in the East-West Shrine Game
, and was drafted 17th overall by the Ottawa Renegades
in the 2003 CFL Draft
. 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
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.
. Nine NFL team scouts were originally scheduled to attend a subsequent workout in Manitoba, but only one team (The Cleveland Browns
) ended up attending. Idonije was eventually signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent, and put on Cleveland's practice squad.
as an undrafted free agent, and put on Cleveland's practice squad. He was waived by the Browns midway through the season.
as a practice squad player late in the 2003 season. He made the Bears' roster the following year, and has been with the Bears since then. Idonije is known for his versatility, including his ability to play both Defensive Tackle and Defensive End, his contributions to special teams, and his blocked kicks.
In 2006, the Idonije became a restricted free agent
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 defensed (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
, Idonije recorded a career high 3 sacks. Also, in 2010, week 9, Idonije broke the streak of 321 straight PAT's converted by Rian Lindell
. .
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
for the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He was signed as an undrafted free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
out of the University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...
. A draft pick of the now defunct Ottawa Renegades
Ottawa Renegades
Ottawa Renegades was the most recent name of a Canadian Football League team based in Ottawa, Ontario founded in 2002, seven years after the storied Ottawa Rough Riders folded...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
, for whom he never played, Idonije spent the start 2003 season on the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
' practice squad prior to his release in September. He was subsequently signed to the Bears' practice squad for the final six weeks of the season.
Early years
Idonije was born in LagosLagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
and immigrated with his family to Brandon, Manitoba
Brandon, Manitoba
Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba, Canada, and is located in the southwestern area of the province. Brandon is the largest city in the Westman region of Manitoba. The city is located along the Assiniboine River. Spruce Woods Provincial Park and CFB Shilo are a relatively short distance...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, when he was four years old. He attended Vincent Massey High School 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
Canadian football is a form of gridiron football played exclusively 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 prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's scoring area...
program in 1997, when Idonije was in grade 12. He went on to play CIS football
CIS football
Twenty-six universities across Canada compete in football under the auspices of Canadian Interuniversity Sport . The teams are divided into four conferences, drawing from the four regional associations of the CIS: Canada West Universities Athletic Association, Ontario University Athletics, Quebec...
for the Manitoba Bisons
Manitoba Bisons
The Manitoba Bisons are the athletic teams that represent the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The football and soccer teams play their games at University Stadium, which also serves as the location of track & field events...
. During this time he worked as a daycare teacher in Winnipeg, Manitoba, played in the East-West Shrine Game
East-West Shrine Game
The East–West Shrine Game is an annual post-season college football all-star game played each January since 1925. The game is sponsored by the fraternal group Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the net proceeds are earmarked to some of the Shrine's charitable works, most notably the Shriners...
, and was drafted 17th overall by the Ottawa Renegades
Ottawa Renegades
Ottawa Renegades was the most recent name of a Canadian Football League team based in Ottawa, Ontario founded in 2002, seven years after the storied Ottawa Rough Riders folded...
in the 2003 CFL Draft
2003 CFL Draft
The 2003 CFL Draft took place on 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.-Round one:-Round two:...
. 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
Vanier Cup
The Vanier Cup is the name of the championship of Canadian Interuniversity Sport football and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is currently played between the winners of the Uteck Bowl and the Mitchell Bowl...
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.
NFL combine
Idonije was not invited to the NFL Combine, but appeared on his own to distribute tapes of his years at University of ManitobaManitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
. Nine NFL team scouts were originally scheduled to attend a subsequent workout in Manitoba, but only one team (The Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) ended up attending. Idonije was eventually signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent, and put on Cleveland's practice squad.
Cleveland Browns
As a rookie in 2003, Idonije was signed by the Cleveland BrownsCleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
as an undrafted free agent, 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 BearsChicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
as a practice squad player late in the 2003 season. He made the Bears' roster the following year, and has been with the Bears since then. Idonije is known for his versatility, including his ability to play both Defensive Tackle and Defensive End, his contributions to special teams, and his blocked kicks.
In 2006, the Idonije became a restricted free agent
Restricted free agent
A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :...
and the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
attempted to sign him, but the Bears retained him by matching their offer. During the 2007 NFL Season
2007 NFL season
The 2007 NFL season was the 88th regular season of the National Football League.Regular-season play was held from September 6 to December 30....
, 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 defensed (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
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
, Idonije recorded a career high 3 sacks. Also, in 2010, week 9, Idonije broke the streak of 321 straight PAT's converted by Rian Lindell
Rian Lindell
Rian Lindell is an American football placekicker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2000...
. .