WINNIPEG – One of the most famous student-athletes to ever don a University of Manitoba Bisons uniform, Israel Idonije has entered the Canada West Hall of Fame.

Idonije, who starred on the gridiron for the Bisons between 1998 and 2002, was inducted Tuesday, as the conference continues to commemorate the 100th anniversary of university sport in Western Canada.

To celebrate his induction, Israel Idonije will be in attendance as Bisons football honours his career this Saturday vs. Calgary. Kickoff is 2 p.m. at IG Field with the special presentation happening at halftime.
 

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Originally from Lagos, Nigeria and raised in Brandon, Idonije joined the Bisons with just one season of football under his belt before eventually blossoming into an NFL player. Idonije played a decade in the NFL, spending nine seasons in Chicago (2004-2012) before finishing his playing career with Detroit in 2013.

Idonije had an outstanding career with the Bisons. In his five seasons at Manitoba (one was as a redshirt) from 1998-02, he was the third Bison, at the time, to capture the J.P. Metras Trophy for outstanding down lineman in U SPORTS (then CIS) in 2002. The Lagos, Nigeria native was the team's MVP in 2002 and selected twice as Canada West All-Star in 2001 and 2002.

In addition, Idonije earned U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian selections in 2001 and 2002 and helped lead the team to a Vanier Cup appearance 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 U SPORTS and first in Canada West that season) and 31 tackles.

Idonije then became the first Bisons football player to be signed and make it onto a NFL team roster. He was 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 Chicago from 2004-12 before one last year with the Detroit Lions in 2013 to end his 11-year NFL playing career.

Idonije appeared in 149 career NFL games and started in 50. He 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.

In addition, Idonije became the first Manitoba Bisons and only third U SPORTS 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 played in a Super Bowl during the Bears 29-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI in February 2007.

Idonije was also named the Manitoba Male Athlete of the Year by the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sports Broadcasters Association in 2002 and 2006.

Other accolades for Idonije include being inducted 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.

While his play on the field was tremendous, Idonije's lasting impact comes in his community work. He was one of three NFL players to be recognized during Super Bowl week as finalists for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2010. 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 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 joins women's soccer alumna Desiree Scott and the Manitoba Bisons football teams from 1968 to 1970 as inductees into the Canada West Hall of Fame.

More information on the Canada West Hall of Fame.