What Happened to Daniel Ojambo Adongo?
Kenyan former rugby and NFL player Daniel Adongo's career was marked by a groundbreaking transition to American football with the Indianapolis Colts, followed by a series of legal troubles, mental health concerns, and ultimately, his deportation from the United States in June 2026 for overstaying his visa and his criminal record. His post-NFL struggles included multiple arrests and a diagnosis of schizophrenia, with some close to him suspecting Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
Quick Answer
Daniel Adongo, a former Kenyan rugby star who made history as the first Kenyan to play in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts, faced significant challenges after his football career ended in 2015. His post-NFL life was characterized by multiple arrests for crimes including intimidation, battery, and criminal mischief, alongside documented struggles with mental health, including a diagnosis of schizophrenia. On June 20, 2026, Adongo was deported from the United States by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for overstaying his visa and his criminal record, after being held in detention for several months.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Born in Nairobi, Kenya
Daniel Ojambo Adongo is born in Nairobi, Kenya, beginning his journey as a future athlete.
Joins Sharks Rugby Academy in South Africa
Adongo moves to South Africa to join the Sharks' rugby academy, marking the start of his professional rugby career.
Begins Professional Rugby Career
Adongo plays professional rugby union in South Africa and New Zealand between 2011 and 2013, including stints with the Sharks, Blue Bulls, Counties Manukau, and Southern Kings.
Signs with Indianapolis Colts (NFL)
In a groundbreaking move, Adongo, with no prior American football experience, signs as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts, becoming the first Kenyan to join an NFL team.
Promoted to Colts Active Roster
After spending time on the practice squad, Adongo is added to the Colts' active roster and makes his NFL debut.
Waived by Indianapolis Colts Amid Domestic Violence Allegations
Adongo is waived by the Colts after law enforcement receives reports of possible domestic violence incidents involving him and an unidentified female. No charges are immediately filed.
Overstays U.S. Visa
After his NFL career ends, Daniel Adongo overstays his visa, becoming an undocumented immigrant in the United States.
Ordered for Psychiatric Evaluation
A Marion County judge orders a psychiatric evaluation for Adongo to determine his competency to stand trial, leading to his transfer to a state psychiatric hospital.
Convicted of Criminal Mischief
Adongo is convicted of criminal mischief involving property damage and sentenced to 364 days in jail.
Mother Granted Legal Guardianship
Due to ongoing concerns about his mental health, Adongo's mother seeks and is granted legal guardianship over him. He is later diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Arrested by ICE Agents
Daniel Adongo is arrested by federal immigration agents and detained at the Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana.
Ordered Removed by Immigration Judge
A Department of Justice immigration judge orders Adongo's removal from the United States.
Deported from the United States
Daniel Adongo is deported from the United States by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for overstaying his visa and his criminal record.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Daniel Ojambo Adongo, born October 12, 1989, in Nairobi, Kenya, began his athletic journey as a promising rugby player. He moved to South Africa in 2007 to join the Sharks' rugby academy and played professionally in South Africa and New Zealand between 2011 and 2013, becoming the first Kenyan to compete in Super Rugby. In a remarkable career shift, Adongo transitioned to American football in 2013, signing with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent despite having no prior experience in the sport. He appeared in five NFL games over three seasons, primarily on special teams, before his release in December 2015 following reports of alleged domestic violence.
Following his departure from the NFL, Adongo's life took a challenging turn. He overstayed his visa in 2016, leading to his status as an undocumented immigrant. Over the next decade, he faced numerous arrests in Indiana for various offenses, 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.
Adongo's legal troubles were compounded by significant mental health issues. Public records indicate that his mother sought and was granted legal guardianship over him in 2020 and 2021 due to ongoing concerns about his mental well-being. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and doctors who examined him described him as "acutely psychotic" with suspected traumatic brain injury, leading to multiple competency evaluations and transfers to state psychiatric hospitals. Those close to him have linked his behavioral episodes and mental health struggles to possible brain injuries from his contact sports career, suggesting Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
In September 2025, Adongo was arrested by federal immigration agents and subsequently held at the Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana for several months. A Department of Justice immigration judge ordered his removal from the country in March 2026. On June 20, 2026, Daniel Adongo was deported from the United States by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities in Chicago, citing his overstayed visa and extensive criminal record. ICE officials stated that he was deemed a "dangerous individual" and that his removal made the community safer. His current whereabouts post-deportation have not been publicly reported.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Daniel Ojambo Adongo made different choices?