Immigrant of the Day: Israel Idonije (Nigeria)

Israel “Izzy” Idonije (born November 17, 1980) is a defensive end for the National Football League’s Chicago Bears. Idonije was born in Lagos, Nigeria and immigrated to Brandon, Manitoba when he was four years old.  Idonije was a Chicago Bears practice squad player at the end of the 2003 season, made the Bears’ roster the following year, and has been with the Bears ever since.

The Chicago Bears defensive lineman was nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which was won by Madeiu WIlliams (Minnesoata Vikings), yesterday’s Immigrant of the Day. The award recognizes both a players skill and community service.Idonije is in his seventh season with the NFC North champion Chicago Bears. His First Down Attendance Program serves more than 600 economically disadvantaged students in five schools in Chicago and Manitoba, Canada.

In honor of his philanthropic efforts, Idonije, is now displayed as part of the three-wall, 8,600 square foot area along the Kennedy Expressway near North Ashland and West Armitage Avenue. The portrait painting honors three of the Chicago recipients of Bank of America’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, the company’s signature philanthropic program. The program is part of an ongoing effort to stimulate economic vitality in Chicago and in communities around the nation.back. Israel Idonjie established the Israel Idonije Foundation in 2008 to extend positive, life-changing opportunities to families and individuals in economically disadvantaged communities.

 KJ