Family of Former Kenyan-American NFL Player Dan Adongo Speaks Out After Viral Video

The family of former high-flying American National Football League (NFL) player, Daniel Adongo has spoken out about his troubled life in the US.

This comes a day after a video of Adongo, who is now a shadow of his former self, went viral on social media on Friday. The clip shows Adongo in a seemingly unkempt state and smoking what is believed to be marijuana.

He made history in 2013, becoming the first Kenyan and African to play in the NFL where he had a lucrative contract with Indianapolis Colts as an outside linebacker until 2015.

His career took an unexpected turn in 2015 when Indianapolis police were called twice to his residence over a domestic dispute with a woman only identified as Hadley. The woman accused him of domestic violence.

The second call was made on December 10th, 2015 by one Dawn Monks, a friend to the woman, who said she received a text from her reading “help” and “911.” While interrogating the woman, police noticed a large cut on her lip, marks on her lower wrists and a black left eye.

The incident prompted the NFL to open a probe into Adongo under ‘its personal conduct policy’. In the wake of the allegations, the Indianapolis Colts terminated his contract.

Since then, little was heard or written about him until this week when the heartbreaking video surfaced on social media.

Speaking during an interview with Daily Nation on Friday, Adongo’s father, Joseph admitted his son is going through a difficult period abroad as he thanked Kenyans for being concerned with his welfare.

“Whether Dan is in trouble is neither here nor there, but I want to tell his fans and Kenyans that his family is doing everything to put things under control,” he said, linking his son’s predicaments to the pressure that comes with attaining celebrity status.

“Most [celebrities] slump into depression hence need help. Dan’s situation needs sobriety and calmness.”

At the same time, Joseph pleaded with the media and online users to allow the family to handle the matter without pushing his son into depression.

“Let us wish him success and the best in days to come as we handle the situation. We are in touch daily and I can assure you all is well. The process to resolve the difficulties our beloved son is going through is underway. It is understandable that such a situation can befall any young person.”
 
"We are grateful that the outside world has empathized with us and as a family, we don’t take for granted the support we have received," added Joseph, who works in Juba, South Sudan as a banking professional.