Former NFL veteran and current super entrepreneur Israel “Izzy” Idonije, was once again the center of attention at the BMW “The Ultimate Dinner" at Soho House in Chicago, IL. Izzy was front and stage alongside interviewer Stephen Bardo and approximately 60 VIP guests. Bardo, a former collegiate and NBA star in his own right, sat down with Idonije for a 30-minute intimate conversation that included discussions about his NFL career and success after football. We featured Izzy in our February 2015 Fete Lifestyle Magazine issue and he continues to be busier than ever.
Izzy talked about his unconventional journey to the NFL that turned into an eleven-year productive career spent mostly with the Chicago Bears. He credits his family, in particular his mother, for helping him achieve his goal by playing in the NFL when he was down and out at the beginning of his career. During our 2015 interview he explained that his mother has especially been an anchor in his belief system. “I don’t care what’s going on in my life or how bad life is, when I call her and by the end of our conversation she can refrain my perspective and assure me that I’ll be okay. It doesn’t matter what the challenge is, she just has a perspective that brings levelness and balance to any situation.”
Izzy has achieved a ton of success off the field as a business man and philanthropist. He owns a publishing company called Athlitacomics, another company called Blessed Communion which manufactures pre-filled communion cups, and he has his own foundation called the Israel Idonije Foundation (IIF). IIF has helped hundreds of children in Chicago and around the world and is committed to impacting underserved communities by providing programs focused on social and emotional life skills. Idonije also recently opened a shared work space for startup businesses and entrepreneurs in Chicago’s South Loop area and is hoping to expand that project in the near future.
The new BMW i8 was the shining star of the night though. The luxury sports car was on display in front of Chicago’s exclusive Soho House and Izzy did not disappoint in showing off the digs. BMW calls this plug-in-hybrid an icon of progress, because of its beautiful design and powerful punch. The aerodynamics and lightweight material used to manufacture the BMW i8 allows it to launch from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and reach its limited electronic speed of 155 mph. This new beast on the road is truly The Ultimate Driving Machine.
BMW Combines a Night of Elegance with Excellence
Israel Idonije and the BMW i8 Shine Together
By D.C. Crenshaw