At the Alumni annual Jerseys and Jeans Scholarship Dinner honouring Israel Idonije on Saturday, March 12, 2016 in the Multi-Purpose Room at the University of Manitoba, there was a special presentation that occurred in the proceedings as Idonije became the first-ever Manitoba Bisons football player to have his number, #70, retired.

This momentous event is a reflection of the amazing career that Idonije, 35, had while with the Manitoba Bisons and propelled him to a remarkable National Football League (NFL) 11 year career that was highlighted by playing in a Super Bowl.

"Tonight Bison Football is proud and honoured to retire #70, the jersey worn by Bison great and NFL veteran, Israel Idonije. As a player, Israel was an often unstoppable and always relentless defensive lineman. But more importantly, he was a great teammate," stated Bison football head coach Brian Dobie. "Off the field, Israel has continually represented the sport of football as a humanitarian, giving back to his communities in Winnipeg, Chicago and Nigeria. He has been recognized as such by being a finalist for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award."

Idonije had an outstanding career with the Bisons. In his five seasons at Manitoba (one was as a red-shirt) from 1998-02, he was the third Bison, at the time, to capture the J.P. Metras Trophy for outstanding down lineman in Canadian university football (CIS) in 2002. The Lagos, Nigeria native was the team's MVP in 2002, selected twice as Canada West All-Star in 2001 and 2002, In addition, he earned CIS First Team All-Canadian selections in 2001 and 2002 and helped lead the team to a Vanier Cup appearance (CIS football championship) in 2001. Idonije registered 16 sacks in his Bison career, third most in program's history. In his final Bison season in 2002, he finished with nine sacks (second best in CIS and first in Canada West that season) and 31 tackles.

Idonije was the first Bison football player to be signed and make it onto a NFL team roster. He signed originally by the NFL's Cleveland Browns in 2003 and was placed on their practice squad before moving on the Chicago Bears as a practice player late in 2003. He made the final NFL roster with the Bears in 2004 and played with Bears from 2004-12 before one last year with the Detroit Lions in 2013 season to end his 11 year NFL playing career. Idonije appeared in 149 career NFL games, starting 50. He has amassed 283 total tackles, 29 sacks, six fumble recoveries and eight blocked kicks plus one touchdown on a fumble recovery. Idonije, at the time of his last season in 2013, ranked fourth in NFL history in blocked kicks since 1992 when the stat first was recorded.

Plus, Idonije became the first Manitoba Bisons and only third CIS player, at the time, to ever play in a Super Bowl game. In only his third full season with the Chicago Bears at the time, Idonije joined an exclusive group, as he became only the third CIS player to be playing in a Super Bowl during the Bears 29-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI in Feb. 2007.

Idonije was also invited to the play in the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl in 2003 and was named twice as the Manitoba Male Athlete of the Year by the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sports Broadcasters Association in 2002 and 2006. 

Other accolades for Idonije include the Province of Manitoba inducted him into Manitoba's Order of the Buffalo Hunt in his hometown of Brandon on March 14, 2007. In addition, on March 8, 2007: Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz presented Honorary Citizenship to Idonije at City Hall. Idonije accepted a key to the City of Brandon from Mayor Shari Decter Hirst in March 2011.

He was one of three community-minded NFL players to be recognized during Super Bowl week as finalists for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for 2010 season. Idonije was also named as the Chicago Bears' recipient in 2009 of The Ed Block Courage Award. The 2013 All Sports United Humanitarian Award for Excellence in Sports Philanthropy was presented to him on June 10, 2013 and later on July 9, 2013, Idonije was awarded with the Daily Point of Light Award – embraces the challenge of tackling a community need through volunteer service – and honoured with a ceremony at the White House. 

On June 5, 2014, Idonije received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Manitoba. He is the first athlete in University history to receive this honor. On May 21, 2014, Idonije was inducted into the Order of Manitoba and received Manitoba's honour in a ceremony at the Legislature in Winnipeg from Prince Charles.

Idonije has been just as impressive off-field as on as he established the Israel Idonije Foundation in 2007 to help communities in Winnipeg, Chicago and West Africa and have numerous initiatives they provide on a year long basis. 

Dobie summed up this prestigious honour, "In retiring the only jersey ever in our Bison Football program's history, we recognize that Israel represents the class, integrity and pure competitiveness that all of us strive for. We salute the most accomplished player in Manitoba history and one of the greatest players this country has ever produced. We thank you, Izzy for always being a Bison."

A formal on-field presentation at a Bison Football game will also take place at a determined time and date in the future.