ICE Director Tom Homan & ICE Agents – Rapid Reports Photo ( Benjamin Harris )
Former NFL Player Daniel Adongo Removed From U.S. After Visa Overstay and Criminal Record
Loading ...
Former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Daniel Adongo, a Kenyan national who transitioned from professional rugby to the NFL, has been removed from the United States following a visa overstay and multiple criminal cases, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Adongo, who played briefly for the Colts during the 2013 and 2015 seasons, was deported after an immigration judge issued a final removal order. The case has drawn attention because of his unusual path from international rugby to American football and his later legal issues.
Daniel Adongo’s Journey From Kenyan Rugby to the NFL
Before entering American football, Daniel Adongo built his athletic career through rugby.
Born in Kenya, Adongo began playing rugby at the junior level before moving to South Africa in 2007 to join the Sharks academy.
He developed through several competitive programs and played for teams including:
- The Sharks in the Vodacom Cup
- The Blue Bulls
- Counties Manukau in New Zealand’s ITM Cup
- The Southern Kings in Super Rugby
Adongo also represented university and national age-group teams during his rugby career.
Indianapolis Colts Signed Adongo Despite Limited Football Experience
In July 2013, the Indianapolis Colts signed Adongo as an outside linebacker despite having no previous experience playing American football.
Standing around 6-foot-5 and weighing more than 250 pounds, his size and athletic ability made him an intriguing prospect.
The Colts attempted to convert his rugby skills into football performance, placing him on the practice squad before promoting him to the active roster.
During the 2013 season, Adongo appeared in two games but did not record a tackle.
A biceps injury later limited his progress during the 2014 season.
Adongo’s Final NFL Appearances Came on Special Teams
Adongo returned to the Colts’ active roster in 2015 and played in three additional games.
His role was primarily on special teams, bringing his NFL career total to five appearances.
The Colts eventually waived him in December 2015 following police involvement related to incidents reported at his Indiana residence.
Former NFL Player Faced Multiple Legal Issues After Football Career
According to reports, police responded twice in 2015 to allegations involving a woman who lived at Adongo’s suburban Indianapolis home.
No charges were filed in those specific incidents.
However, after his NFL career ended, Adongo remained in the United States and later faced several arrests in Indiana.
Authorities said the charges included:
- Felony intimidation
- Battery
- Disorderly conduct
In 2020, Adongo was convicted of criminal mischief involving property damage and received a sentence of 364 days in jail.
Visa Overstay Led to Immigration Enforcement Action
Adongo remained in the United States after his professional football career and overstayed his visa beginning in 2016.
Federal immigration authorities arrested him on September 11, 2025.
He was detained at the Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana, which is used for immigration detention.
His immigration case proceeded through the federal court system before a final removal decision was issued.
Immigration Judge Orders Removal From the United States
On March 23, a Department of Justice immigration judge issued a final order requiring Adongo’s removal.
ICE later carried out the deportation operation from Chicago on June 20.
The agency said Adongo’s case fell under provisions of the Laken Riley Act, which requires detention without bond for certain noncitizens accused of specific crimes.
ICE Officials Say Removal Improved Public Safety
Douglas Thompson, ICE Chicago Assistant Field Office Director, said Adongo represented a public safety concern.
“Those who violate immigration law are held equally accountable, including former professional athletes,” Thompson said.
ICE also highlighted broader enforcement statistics, stating that a large share of its arrests involve individuals who have been charged with or convicted of crimes in the United States.
Daniel Adongo Case Highlights Immigration Enforcement Debate
The removal of a former NFL player has renewed discussions surrounding immigration enforcement, visa compliance, and criminal records among noncitizens.
Supporters of stricter enforcement argue that individuals who violate immigration laws or commit crimes should face removal proceedings.
Critics of expanded enforcement often argue that each case requires careful review of individual circumstances, rehabilitation efforts, and legal protections.
Former Colts Linebacker’s Unusual Career Comes to End
Daniel Adongo’s career remains one of the NFL’s more unusual international stories — a rugby player from Kenya who reached professional American football despite having never played the sport before arriving in the league.
His later immigration case, however, shifted attention away from his athletic journey and toward questions involving legal status, criminal history, and federal enforcement.
Trump-Backed ICE Action Removes Dangerous Ex-NFL Athlete
Former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Daniel Ogama Adongo, a Kenyan national with a lengthy criminal record, has been successfully removed from the United States by ICE. After overstaying his visa since 2016 and accumulating multiple arrests for felony intimidation, battery, disorderly conduct, and a 2020 conviction for criminal mischief, Adongo was detained under the Laken Riley Act and ordered removed. This decisive enforcement action proves that America-first policies leave no one above the law—not even former professional athletes.
Community Safety Comes First Under Strong Immigration Enforcement
ICE Chicago Assistant Field Office Director Douglas Thompson made it clear: “This dangerous individual was clearly a threat to the community, which is now safer since he’s been removed.” Adongo’s history of domestic disturbance calls, property damage, and repeated lawbreaking while remaining illegally in the country underscores why rigorous detention and deportation of criminal noncitizens is essential. Nearly 70 percent of ICE arrests involve people charged with or convicted of crimes—exactly the prioritization Trump has long demanded to protect American families.
No Special Treatment: Visa Violators Face Real Consequences
From rugby fields in Kenya and South Africa to a brief NFL stint with the Colts, Adongo’s athletic background never shielded him from accountability. After federal agents arrested him in September 2025 and an immigration judge issued a final removal order, ICE carried out the deportation from Chicago on June 20. This outcome delivers a powerful message: those who overstay visas and commit crimes will be held equally accountable, restoring the rule of law and making communities safer across the nation.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
Benjamin Harris is a RapidReports front page contributor and editor,proud father of four.
