The Chicago Bears caught a lot of flak from fans after they made a curious decision in the 4th round of the draft back in April. It involved them selecting inside linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe out of Western Kentucky. Many were perplexed for two reasons. First, because the Bears had already taken an ILB in the 1st round with Roquan Smith and weren’t hurting for another. Second because they had a pressing need for pass rush help.
GM Ryan Pace didn’t seem too bothered by the backlash though. He and the scouting department were confident they’d gotten something in Iyiegbuniwe. Even though he had started playing football in earnest until his senior year of high school, the kid was a pure athlete who had picked up the game rapidly, turning in a strong college career.
As it turns out, the Bears may have had a method to their madness. Though there was no way he’d be starting on defense anytime soon, the kid has swiftly found his place on the Bears roster by becoming one of their best special teams players. A role that another former linebacker made his own just over a decade ago.
Chicago Bears may have found another Brendon Ayanbadejo in Iyiegbuniwe
A lot of fans probably won’t remember the name Brendon Ayanbadejo off the top of their heads. That’s not a surprise. He was only with the Bears for three seasons from 2005 to 2007. However, during that span, he certainly managed to make an impact by becoming one of the best special teams players in the NFL. Not only did he block for Devin Hester during his two career-best seasons but also was a great coverage man as well.
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What made it such a great story was that Ayanbadejo had been born in Chicago. His father then moved the family to his native Nigeria but after his parents divorced he and his mother returned to the U.S. and eventually settled in Santa Cruz, California. There his football career began and he eventually landed at UCLA.
He wasn’t good enough to get drafted and spent the first four years of his pro career bouncing between the NFL, CFL, Arena League and even NFL Europe. He finally caught a break in Miami where he found a role with the Dolphins. That sparked interest from Chicago two years later and the rest is history.
One of the big things the #Bears loved about Joel Iyiegbuniwe was his speed and coverage prowess. On display here. pic.twitter.com/RMINLett16
— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) August 19, 2018
What does this have to do with Iyiegbuniwe?
It’s rather crazy. He too like Ayanbadejo was born in Chicago to parents of Nigerian descent. He moved to another state to attend high school and like Ayanbadejo parlayed that to playing football for a college in his new home state (Kentucky). Then things came full circle when the Bears drafted him in the 4th round.
Now he’s becoming a star for them on special teams, blocking for another electric punt returner in Tarik Cohen. The NFL can be a pretty fascinating league sometimes.
