Daniel Adongo, the Kenyan-born athlete who made history by transitioning from rugby to the NFL, has been deported from the United States after years of legal troubles culminating in a formal removal order. Adongo, who had been living in the US beyond his lawful visa period, was detained and deported under the Laken Riley Act, legislation that mandates strict detention of undocumented individuals who have been convicted of certain crimes.
A Fall from Glory
Adongo first made waves globally in 2013 when he signed with the Indianapolis Colts without any prior experience playing American gridiron football. Before that, he had built a professional rugby career with clubs including the Sharks in South Africa and the Eastern Province Kings and Southern Kings. His cross-sport leap was seen as a remarkable athletic achievement, and he went on to appear in five games across three seasons with the Colts, earning roughly $694,000 during his time in the league.
A Troubled Career
His NFL career came to an abrupt end in December 2015 when the Colts released him following two police call-outs to his home in Fishers, Indiana, to investigate potential domestic violence incidents. Charges were not filed in either case, though the NFL launched its own investigation under its personal conduct policy. A friend of the woman involved told police that Adongo had previously grabbed her by the throat and held her underwater in a bathtub, and had damaged property throughout the home. The woman, however, insisted her injuries were self-inflicted.
A History of Arrests
After his release, Adongo's difficulties continued to mount. Court records show he faced multiple arrests in Indiana over the following years, including charges of felony intimidation, battery, domestic disturbances and disorderly conduct. In 2020, he was convicted of criminal mischief and served close to a year in jail. On two separate occasions, he was found mentally incompetent to stand trial due to acute psychosis. Family members believe his mental health struggles may be linked to a traumatic brain injury sustained during his athletic career.
A Removal Order
An immigration judge issued a removal order against Adongo on 23 March 2026, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement subsequently detained and deported him. His story is a striking fall from grace for an athlete who once embodied an improbable sporting dream. At the height of his career, Adongo was celebrated as living proof that elite athleticism could cross codes and continents.
Source: Tuko
