Johannesburg, South Africa — Daniel Adongo, the first Kenyan to play in the NFL, was deported from the United States in June following visa overstay and multiple criminal convictions. Adongo, a former linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts, faced mandatory detention and removal from the U. S.
His deportation has sparked debate and controversy, as his supporters argue that mental health issues rather than criminal behavior were the primary reasons for his legal troubles. Born in Nairobi in 1989, Adongo transitioned from a successful rugby career in Africa to the NFL without prior experience in American football. His journey was notable, as he played for the Colts from 2013 to 2015, including two games before suffering a series of injury setbacks.
After his NFL career ended, Adongo struggled to maintain legal status in the U. S. Federal immigration authorities, specifically ICE and the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed his deportation.
ICE deemed Adongo a “dangerous individual “due to multiple arrests and faced criminal charges, which led to his mandatory detention and subsequent removal from the U. S. Supporters of the player argue that his only conviction was a misdemeanor and that the charges that led to his most recent arrest were dismissed.
They maintain that Adongo spent months in harsh conditions in immigration detention, during which they say his serious mental illness worsened. Doctors and social workers who worked with him believe he may also be living with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), an untreatable brain disease caused by repeated head impacts, common among athletes who played contact sports.
The ICE statement did not address why Adongo was not deported for the visa overstay, but his deportation has raised questions about the legal and immigration challenges faced by athletes in the U. S. And the potential impact on their careers and lives.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: The guardian
Source: Richard Luscombe
