Bears lineman Idonije to Post: "I want to give people there who are rooting for me a reason to be proud."
By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMANidonije bears 88(photo credit: AP [file])
Many NFL players have said they wanted to celebrate their Super Bowl victory in Disneyland or home relaxing with their families.
But Chicago Bears defensive lineman Israel Idonije has other plans: He wants to come to Israel. Idonije said he was honored that people were cheering for him in the country that shares his name.
"I want to go out there on Sunday and make plays and give people in Israel that are rooting for me a reason to be proud," Idonije told The Jerusalem Post in a telephone interview from Miami on Saturday night.
Idonije was given the name by his father, who is a Christian pastor in Brandon, Manitoba, in Canada. He said he was proud to be given the name that, according to the Bible, God gave to Jacob, one of the forefathers of the Jewish people.
"It's a great name with meaning," Idonije said. "Jacob was given the name, and he was a soldier of God. The name has given me nothing but success. I have nothing but peace and happiness and a successful life."
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