A Former NFL Player Just Got Deported — and His Record Explains Exactly Why

Former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Daniel Ogama Adongo, a Kenyan national, was removed from the United States by ICE late last month after overstaying his visa and accumulating a criminal record.

Adongo transitioned from rugby to the NFL in 2013 when the Colts signed him as an undrafted free agent. He appeared in five career games, mostly on special teams, before being waived in December 2015 amid domestic-disturbance calls to his residence.

He remained in the country after his playing days and overstayed his visa beginning in 2016. Indiana authorities later arrested him multiple times on charges including felony intimidation, battery, and disorderly conduct. In 2020 he was convicted of criminal mischief involving property damage and sentenced to 364 days in jail.

This CRIMINAL and former NFL linebacker has been DEPORTED after he broke our laws.

Daniel Ogama Adongo, from Kenya, has a criminal record in the U.S. that includes arrests for criminal mischief with damage, felony intimidation, battery and disorderly conduct.

Our communities… https://t.co/NNsS6tVHtd pic.twitter.com/PPdYCBcq1P

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 25, 2026

ICE arrested Adongo on September 11, 2025. A Department of Justice immigration judge issued a final removal order on March 23 under provisions of the Laken Riley Act, which requires detention without bond for certain noncitizens charged with specified crimes. He was removed from Chicago on June 20.

“This dangerous individual was clearly a threat to the community, which is now safer since he’s been removed,” said ICE Chicago Assistant Field Office Director Douglas Thompson. “Those who violate immigration law are held equally accountable, including former professional athletes.”

DHS noted that nearly 70 percent of its arrests involve individuals charged with or convicted of crimes in the United States.