1. Israel Idonije was a member of the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and New York Giants.
32 Facts About Israel Idonije
1. 2.
Israel Idonije was born in Lagos, Nigeria and immigrated with his family to Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, when he was four years old.
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Israel Idonije 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 a senior in high school.
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Israel Idonije went on to play CIS football for the Manitoba Bisons.
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At Manitoba from 2000 to 2002, Israel Idonije recorded 16 sacks which stands fourth all-time in Bison history.
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Israel Idonije helped lead the Bison to the 2001 Vanier Cup where Manitoba was defeated by the Saint Mary's Huskies.
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In 2002, Israel Idonije was named 2002 Manitoba Male Athlete of the Year.
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Israel Idonije's goal was to play in the National Football League.
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Israel Idonije was not invited to the NFL Combine, but appeared on his own to distribute tapes of his years at University of Manitoba.
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Israel Idonije was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent on May 2,2003.
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Israel Idonije was placed on injured reserve on August 26 and was waived by the Browns on September 30,2003.
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Israel Idonije was signed to the Chicago Bears' practice squad for the final six weeks of the season.
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In 2006, Israel Idonije became a restricted free agent and the Buffalo Bills attempted to sign him, but the Bears retained him by matching their offer.
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In 2008, Israel Idonije set career highs in sacks, tackles, and passes defenced.
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On December 30,2009, Israel Idonije was placed on injured reserve due to a foot injury.
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In 2010, week 5 at the Carolina Panthers, Israel Idonije recorded 3 sacks.
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In 2011, in week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks, Israel Idonije scored his first NFL touchdown after a fumble recovery in the end zone after Tarvaris Jackson had the ball stripped by Julius Peppers.
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Israel 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.
19.
On June 25,2013, Israel Idonije signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions.
20.
Israel Idonije recorded 11 tackles and half a sack during the 2013 season.
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On March 18,2014, Israel Idonije signed a one-year deal to return to the Bears.
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Israel Idonije signed with the New York Giants on August 5,2014.
23.
Israel Idonije revealed his new comic, The Protectors, at its soft launch during the New York Comic Con in October 2012.
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Israel Idonije came up with the idea at the Chicago Bears training camp in 2007.
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Israel Idonije brought on writer Ron Marz and artist Bart Sears to complete the project.
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Israel Idonije will be publishing the comic through the publishing company he founded, Athleta Comics.
27.
Israel Idonije created Sports Heroes' showcasing athletes through comic artistry, and Athlitacomics became an NFLPA licensee.
28.
Israel Idonije launched his DreamKidz Love book series to promote social and emotional awareness for children.
29.
Israel 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.
30.
Israel Idonije opened up an office, meeting and business event space in the South Loop.
31.
Manitoba Lieutenant-Governor Philip S Lee announced on May 12,2014, that Idonije is to be inducted into the Order of Manitoba.
32.
On March 1,2021, the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League announced that Israel Idonije had joined the women's soccer team's ownership group.