Even an NFL résumé can't shield someone from immigration enforcement. Former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Daniel Adongo found that out the hard way after being deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 20. The move came after a Department of Justice immigration judge ordered his removal back on March 23.
According to FOX 59, Adongo overstayed his visa in 2016 and racked up multiple arrests over the next nine years. Charges included felony intimidation, battery, and disorderly conduct. In 2020, he was convicted of criminal mischief with damage and sentenced to 364 days in jail.
Adongo's NFL career was brief. He suited up for five games between 2013 and 2015, mostly on special teams, before being released after a police incident near Indianapolis. His path to the league was unconventional: born in Kenya, he never played American football until signing with the Colts. Instead, he played rugby for South Africa's Sharks at the youth level and later for teams in South Africa and New Zealand from 2011 to 2013.
ICE Chicago Assistant Field Office Director Douglas Thompson didn't mince words in a statement, calling Adongo a “dangerous individual” who posed a threat to the community. “Those who violate immigration law are held equally accountable, including former professional athletes,” Thompson said.
The Department of Homeland Security also weighed in on social media, branding Adongo a “CRIMINAL” who had been deported after breaking U.S. laws. The agency highlighted his criminal record, which included arrests for criminal mischief, felony intimidation, battery, and disorderly conduct.
Adongo's deportation underscores that fame and athletic achievements don't grant immunity from legal consequences. It also echoes the broader message that immigration enforcement applies to everyone, regardless of their past glory on the field.
For context, Adongo's case isn't isolated. Other former athletes have faced legal troubles, like former college star Kerr Kriisa arrested by FBI in a massive fraud case. And the sports world has seen its share of tragic losses, such as former NFL lineman Jordan Devey's death at 38.
Adongo's journey from rugby fields in South Africa to the NFL was remarkable, but it ended with a deportation flight back to Kenya. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of abiding by immigration laws, no matter how many tackles you've made.
