Former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Daniel Ogama Adongo, a Kenyan national, was removed from the United States by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) late last month following a visa overstay and a record of arrests.
Adongo, a native of Kenya, began his athletic career in rugby, starting with junior teams in Kenya before moving to South Africa in 2007 to join the Sharks academy. He progressed through age-group levels and appeared for the Sharks in the Vodacom Cup, later playing for the Blue Bulls, Counties Manukau in New Zealand’s ITM Cup, and the Southern Kings in Super Rugby. He also competed for university and national age-group sides.
In July 2013, the Indianapolis Colts signed Adongo as an outside linebacker despite his lack of prior American football experience. At approximately 6-foot-5 and over 250 pounds, he transitioned from rugby and spent time on the practice squad before appearing in two games in 2013 without recording a tackle. A biceps injury limited him in 2014.
In 2015, he returned to the active roster and played in three more games, primarily on special teams, for a career total of five appearances.
The Colts waived Adongo in December 2015 after police responded to reports involving a woman who lived at his residence in suburban Indianapolis. According to a report from NewsNation, officers were called on two occasions that year related to domestic disturbance allegations, though no charges were filed in those matters.
Adongo remained in the United States after his NFL career concluded and overstayed his visa beginning in 2016. Over the subsequent years, Indiana law enforcement arrested him multiple times on charges that included 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
Federal immigration agents arrested Adongo on September 11, 2025. He was held at the Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana, a site used for immigration detention.
His circumstances fell under provisions of the Laken Riley Act, which requires detention without bond for certain noncitizens charged with specified crimes. On March 23, a Department of Justice immigration judge issued a final order of removal. ICE later carried out the removal from Chicago on June 20.
“This dangerous individual was clearly a threat to the community, which is now safer since he’s been removed. Those who violate immigration law are held equally accountable, including former professional athletes,” ICE Chicago Assistant Field Office Director Douglas Thompson said.
The agency also noted broader enforcement figures, including that nearly 70 percent of its arrests involve individuals charged with or convicted of crimes in the United States.
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