Former NFL Player Deported Following Visa Overstay and Multiple Arrests
Daniel Adongo, the first Kenyan to play in the NFL, was deported in June after federal immigration authorities determined he overstayed his visa and faced multiple arrests. The 37-year-old linebacker, who played two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, was released from the team in 2015 amid domestic violence allegations.
Adongo’s visa expired in 2016, yet he remained in the United States, according to a statement from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The agency highlighted his criminal history, including multiple arrests in Indiana for felony intimidation, assault, and disorderly conduct.
ICE Chicago Field Office Deputy Director Douglas Thompson remarked on Adongo’s deportation, stating, “This dangerous individual was clearly a threat to the community, and his removal has made the community safer. Those who violate immigration laws, including former professional athletes, are held equally accountable.”
The deportation followed a federal judge’s order in March and is seen as part of the broader immigration enforcement strategy during Donald Trump’s second presidential term, which has emphasized the mass deportation of undocumented individuals.
Over the past nine years, Adongo has had several legal issues, culminating in a conviction for criminal mischief in 2020, which resulted in one year in prison. Reports indicated that the Indianapolis Colts faced significant scrutiny prior to releasing him due to two domestic violence calls made to his residence within three months.
Supporters of Adongo argue that he has only faced a misdemeanor conviction and that the recent charges against him were dismissed. They further claim that he endured harsh conditions in immigration detention, which exacerbated his severe mental health issues.
There are concerns that Adongo may be suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head injuries, prevalent among contact sports athletes. A petition aimed at preventing his deportation asserts that medical professionals believe he required treatment rather than incarceration, stating, “This is not justice. He needed a doctor, not a cell.”
Born in Nairobi in 1989, Adongo transitioned from professional rugby in South Africa to American football, signing with the Colts in 2013. Despite lacking football experience, he appeared in two games before injuries curtailed his career. His father, Joe Adongo, publicly expressed concern about his son’s mental well-being in 2020 after a disconcerting video surfaced on social media.
Currently, Adongo faces criminal charges under the Laken-Reilly Act, which mandates that undocumented immigrants accused of specific crimes be held without bail, according to ICE.
