businesses, platforms and methods that I can control the change that I want to affect.
DC: You’re involved in many different projects, which one is most personal and provides the most self- satisfaction?
II: Without question I think the Israel Idonije Foundation is the most personal and also provides the most satisfaction, as far as introspectively understanding that we’re doing this work impacting lives but we’re also impacted. We also understand more so of how much we have and how blessed we are. I count myself very blessed and fortunate to be a part of every event and to see the kids’ faces. At the end of the day the biggest blessing is received by the giver. Being able to give to somebody makes you sit back and realized that you’re blessed and provides a special blessed feeling.
DC: You’re an eligible bachelor and I’m sure that you get a lot of attention. What advice have you received from friends and family when it comes to relationships or settling down?
II: Don’t rush it is probably the biggest piece, which has been my philosophy. I had a plan, which was to make it in the NFL, build a sustainable business and then settle down and have a family. Also I’ve been told to make sure that you and that person are on the same page. Whatever my vision is for me needs be in alignment with her vision for her, so that we grow in the same direction. If you’re growing in different directions then it’s going to be a challenge and a struggle.
DC: You’ve done a lot to help folks in this city and arguably have been the most visible professional athlete in Chicago. What have you learned along the way?
II: I’ve learned a few things and one would be that when it comes to giving being part of team is the way to go. Whatever you’re passionate about, I can promise you that there are people out there that are passionate about the same thing. There are people out there that are fighting that fight and carrying that same flag. I suggest finding those people that have the same interest before trying to build your own new operation. See how they work and understand how they operate. There is a good chance that there’s something already going on that you can connect with and plug your brand, system or network into and still receive that same fulfillment and have an impact. Doing this may help to avoid the growing pain that goes with starting something from ground zero or square one. Whatever you decide to do with a charity should be something that you’re passionate about.
that you can connect with and plug your brand, system or network into and still receive that same fulfillment and have an impact. Doing this may help to avoid the growing pain that goes with starting something from ground zero or square one. Whatever you decide to do with a charity should be something that you’re passionate about.
DC: Describe what your goals as a businessman and an athlete look like over the next few years.
II: I think the athlete aspect will go to the background and I’m really just going to focus on building sustainable businesses. For me that will really be doing things that I’m passionate about. I want to focus on businesses that are innovative, that can change current platforms and that have a very powerful effect behind them. I want to be part of businesses that are global where we can have an affect here in Chicago, but can also apply in Winnipeg, Manitoba where I’m from to Lagos, Nigeria where I was born. I want to transform lives and implement systems that have a real global approach. I want to see a positive community life changing aspect from those businesses.
DC: Outside of physical talent, who is the most impressive athlete that you’ve met in the NFL?
II: Muhsin Muhammad (Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears) who is a phenomenal athlete, but he’s also a great business guy. Out of all of the guys that I personally know, I would say that he is one of the guys that I want to be like, as far as building an enterprise. He is a businessman that is building real businesses and franchising, which is really next level stuff. He’s a partner in a venture capital firm and through that firm he owns a lot of businesses. That’s impressive.
DC: Three things that you love about your life?
II: One is that I love my life’s journey. The story of my life has been challenging but very exciting. What’s exciting sitting here with you today is that the chapters that are still to come, I don’t know what they are, but it’s going to be exciting. I know there excitement for the next few chapters around the corner. The second thing I love is the people. The people in my life that I’ve been able to meet that are literally my circle of friends are some really incredible people. The love and support that I have is unparalleled. The third thing that I love about my life is the work that we’ve done with the Foundation. Since 2007 we literally have saved lives. If we weren’t there the people whose lives we saved would literally be dead today. We literally built water wells, clinics, and provided book, t-shirts and shoes. I gave a kid his first pair of shoes that he ever owned in his life at 13 years old. Those moments of service are definitely an aspect of my life that I love. The impact that we’ve been able to make over the years is definitely something that I love and I’m thankful that I can be a part of.