By Lisa Zimmerman, Player Engagement Insider
Former Chicago Bears defensive end Israel Idonije described his feelings about football when he was first introduced to the sport in high school: “I hated it,” he said. At the time basketball was his all-consuming passion and his dream was to live in Chicago and play for the Chicago Bulls. In fact, as a teenager he wrote down two goals on a piece of paper: Play for the Chicago Bulls and make a million dollars by the age of 25. The results were close, but not exactly what he’d envisioned.
As it turned out while initially Idonije didn’t like football, it loved him. A native of Lagos, Nigeria, Idonije immigrated to Canada with his family when he was four years old. Always athletic, it was basketball that quickly captured his interest and became his focus. Then things took a turn. Idonije was working at the YMCA in high school when his boss there started a nine-man football team at Idonije’s high school. He was convinced to play, and thought, “Worst case, this will get you in shape for basketball.” However, it was clear from the start to everyone around him that Idonije had talent.
As time went on, Idonije was persuaded to stick with football, making the provincial team in Manitoba and then earning a spot on the University of Manitoba’s team. Slowly he fell in love with the sport he had once hated; A good thing, because he had caught the eye of the NFL. In 2003 the Cleveland Browns signed him as an undrafted free agent, but cut him halfway through the season. Then the Chicago Bears picked him up and he remained a member of that franchise for the next decade and has become a permanent resident of the city.
While football was his priority during his playing years, it was always important to him to remain active in other facets of his life. During training camp in 2007, with his position on the Bears finally solidified, Idonije, a fan of comic books since his early teens, was struck with an idea; create a comic book story with football players as the protagonists. The Protectors was born. The underlying message of the series is that all people, including football players are meant to perform deeds that go beyond the field and all people have special abilities.
“You’re created to be more than just athletes,” Idonije described. “By night they’re collecting this team of heroes that will fight the dissenters to save the human race.”
The Protectors debuted in 2012, published by Idonije’s Athlitacomics. . There are currently six issues and a recently completed trade paperback, which is a compilation of those first six issues.
“It should be both fun and informative,” Idonije said of his goal in publishing the comics. “All content should have intention. When you walk away you have been able to learn something on some level. We want to tell these great epic hero stories, but connect with people who walk away with a lesson. We all have great talents and abilities, but what will you do with your gifts?”
There are many more issues scheduled for the future. Idonije created what he calls the “Bible” for the series, which contains his vision for the characters and their stories and has worked with writer Ron Marz and illustrator Bart Sears in executing and realizing his goals. The Protectors can also be found in digital form through comiXology and Madefire.
And Idonije takes his own message very seriously. In addition to The Protectors, Idonije is using his talents and abilities to create other businesses and charitable endeavors.
“I believe we’re created to create,” he said. “I enjoy doing multiple things. I enjoy the creative process.”
Under the umbrella of his company the Realis Group, he is also building a 50,000 square foot tech facility with the goal to be part of the Midwest leadership in the technology sector. In 2006, he purchased 77 acres of property in Branson, Missouri and is currently building an adventure park with a mountain coaster at its center.
For many years, Idonije’s blessed Communion company has sold pre-filled, sealed communion cups, specifically designed with hygiene in mind, to churches and other religious organizations. He has also long been committed to giving back to the community and runs his Israel Idonije Foundation, which is focused on bringing life skills and opportunities to children in locations in West Africa, the United States and Canada.
Idonije’s work has been recognized in numerous ways, including in 2014 when he received the prestigious Order of Manitoba bestowed directly on him by the United Kingdom’s Prince Charles. It is the province’s highest honor given to those who have demonstrated excellence in any area that has in some way benefitted the people of Manitoba.
For Idonije all of his undertakings are just steps in his life’s journey and it turns out it was football, not basketball, which provided him with the launch pad.
“Just the chapter of football has closed,” he said. “Now we’re doing other stuff even bigger than the game in football. I’ve been fortunate to live in this great city that I dreamt about as a child and to be entrenched in this venture space, that’s what’s been so exciting.”
Lisa Zimmerman is a long-time NFL writer and reporter. She was the Jets correspondent for CBSSports.com, SportsNet New York’s TheJetsBlog.com and Sirius NFL Radio. She has also written for NFL.com.