PROFILER: Meet Israel Idonije

Israel Idonije 

Israel Idonije, O.M. (born November 17, 1980) is a retired Nigerian-Canadian defensive end NFL player, and actor. Idonije was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cleveland Browns 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 a game, Idonije spent the start of the 2003 season on the Browns' practice squad prior to his release in September. He was subsequently signed to the Chicago Bears' practice squad for the final six weeks of the season.

He has also played for the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, and New York Giants. 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 footballprogram in 1997, when Idonije was a senior in high school. 

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.

Idonije revealed his new comic, The Protectors, at its soft launch during the New York Comic Con in October 2012. He came up with the idea at the Chicago Bears training camp in 2007. The Protectors, set in the future, is based around a group of super athletes who learn they are blessed with super powers that help protect humanity. Idonije brought on writer Ron Marz and artist Bart Sears to complete the project. Idonije will be publishing the comic through the publishing company he founded, Athleta Comics. Athleta Comics is part of Athleta Entertainment.

The Protectors issue #0 made its debut at C2E2 in Chicago, April 26–28, 2013. Issue #1 is scheduled to come out in September 2013.

Idonije also created Sports Heroes' showcasing athletes through comic artistry, and Athlitacomics became an NFLPA licensee. Sports Heroes can be found on the first of its kind consumable NFLPI licensed product.

Idonije launched his DreamKidz Love book series to promote social and emotional awareness for children. His first book "I Love Me (Izzy Cover) was released on Amazon on January 24th, 2017.