Former NFL player Daniel Adongo has been deported from the United States after immigration authorities accused him of overstaying his visa and cited his criminal record.
The 37-year-old Kenyan, who made history by becoming one of the first players from the country to sign with an NFL team, was removed from the US on June 20 following a deportation order issued by an immigration judge in March this year.
According to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Adongo remained in the country long after his visa expired in 2016.
ICE said Adongo also had several run-ins with the law during his stay in the United States.
The agency said he was convicted of criminal mischief in 2020 and sentenced to one year in jail. He was also arrested in separate incidents involving allegations of battery, intimidation and disorderly conduct.
“Former professional athletes are not above the law,” ICE said, adding that Adongo had been removed from the country after exhausting the legal immigration process.
Adongo rose to international fame in 2013 after signing with the Indianapolis Colts despite having no background in American football.
He had previously played rugby for Kenya before making the rare switch to the NFL through the league’s international player pathway.
He featured for the Colts until 2015 before leaving the club. His journey from Kenyan rugby to the NFL inspired many young athletes back home.
His deportation has now sparked widespread discussion among Kenyans on social media, with many expressing shock at the dramatic turn in the former sports star’s life.
