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. Idonije was born in Lagos, 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.
more
| Birthdate: | November 17, 1980 |
| Birthplace: | Lagos |
| Age: | 31 |
| Height: | 6' 6" |
| Weight: | 275 lbs. |
| All Positions Played: | Defensive lineman |
| Education: | University of Manitoba |