Manitoba grad stars with Chicago, shines as world humanitarian
Photo courtesy Bill Smith / Chicago Bears
EDMONTON – After shining in Canada West with the Manitoba Bisons during the 2000, 2001 and 2002 seasons, where he led the Bisons into the 2001 Vanier Cup final and then took home the 2002 J.P. Metras trophy as CIS Lineman of the Year, Israel Idonije was drafted by the CFL’s Ottawa Renegades 17th overall in 2003.
He drew NFL attention, where he was added to the Cleveland Browns practice roster. Let go in mid-season, he was picked up by the Chicago Bears, made the lineup the following season and has never looked back, signing a new two-year deal in May 2009.
But there is so much more to the 6’6” defensive tackle, in his career and in life…
by Larry Mayer / [URL]http://www.chicagobears.com/index.html
LAKE FOREST, Ill. ā Bears defensive lineman Israel Idonije didnāt need a medical degree to realize that what he was witnessing during his trip to Nigeria earlier this month was a matter of life and death.
Israel Idonije looks on as his medical team treats a baby suffering from an infection in Lagos, Nigeria.
The six doctors and five nurses who had traveled with him to conduct free medical clinics were packing up their equipment at the end of a long sweltering day in Lagos when Idonije walked into a waiting room and spotted a 10-day-old boy who required immediate care.
[URL]http://www.canadawest.org/sports_team_feature.aspx?id=5&storyid=172
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