HUMSI — Human Security Initiative

Human Impact Project

A living database documenting reported immigration enforcement incidents and their human impact.

Former NFL linebacker Daniel Adongo deported to Kenya after decade-long visa overstay

Jun 20, 2025·Location: Chicago, IL

Country of origin: Kenya

Former NFL linebacker Daniel Adongo deported to Kenya after decade-long visa overstay
Photo via visaverge.com

Daniel Ogama Adongo, 37, a Kenyan former linebacker who played for the Indianapolis Colts from 2013 to 2015 and was the first Kenyan-born player to join the NFL, was deported by ICE on June 20, 2025, after overstaying his visa since 2016. Over the past decade, Adongo was arrested multiple times for felony intimidation, battery, disorderly conduct, and criminal mischief. In 2017, a judge ordered a psychiatric examination after he was charged with intimidation and criminal mischief; he was found incompetent to stand trial and was sent to a psychiatric hospital. In 2020, he was convicted of criminal mischief with damage and sentenced to 364 days in jail, ultimately serving six months with credit for time served. An immigration judge ordered his deportation in March 2025. His mother, Betty Adongo, and his attorneys have attributed his legal troubles to mental illness and possible traumatic brain injury from his playing career; medical evaluations indicated acute psychosis and the possibility of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) from repeated head trauma.

Timeline

Jun 20, 2025—Adongo deported by ICE to Kenya after decade-long visa overstay
Mar 23, 2025—Immigration judge ordered Adongo's deportation
2020—Adongo convicted of criminal mischief with damage and sentenced to 364 days in jail, ultimately serving six months with credit for time served
2017—Judge ordered psychiatric examination after Adongo charged with intimidation and criminal mischief; found incompetent to stand trial and sent to psychiatric hospital
2016—Adongo's visa expired; he remained in the United States
2015—Adongo released by Indianapolis Colts
2013—Daniel Adongo signed with Indianapolis Colts as linebacker
Suggest a correction, comment, or update

Sources

More incidents in Illinois