OTTAWA – Chicago Bears defensive tackle Israel Idonije and Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Dan Federkeil could make Canadian university football history in two weeks as they could become the first former CIS players to face-off in the Super Bowl.
Idonije (Brandon, Man.), who claimed the J.P. Metras Trophy as the outstanding lineman in CIS football in 2002 as a member of the University of Manitoba Bisons, earned his ticket to the NFL final on Sunday when Chigago defeated New Orleans 39-14 in the NFC championship game.
Federkeil (Medicine Hat, Alta.), the Canada West finalist for the Metras Trophy in his final season with the University of Calgary Dinos in 2005, advanced to Super Bowl XLI following Indianapolis’ 38-34 win over New England in the AFC title match.
Idonije, 26, who signed with Chicago as a free agent in 2004, will without a doubt dress for the Bears in Miami on February 4. The six-foot-six, 270-pound lineman played in 13 regular season games and both playoff contests for Chicago this season. He had one sack and one tackle on Sunday against New Orleans.
Federkeil, 23, is questionable although he is currently on the Colts active roster. The six-foot-six, 290-pound NFL rookie dressed for two regular season games and Indianapolis’ first playoff duel two weeks ago against Kansas City but has since been sidelined with a hip strain. Federkeil, who starred as a defensive end for the Dinos in the CIS but switched to the O-line after joining the NFL, originally signed with Indy as a free agent last May, was waived on August 30 before signing to the practice squad on September 4, and then was re-signed by the Colts as a free agent on December 2.
The two former Canada West standouts are the fourth and fifth ex-CIS players to advance to the Super Bowl as members of an NFL active roster.
Ken Clark of the Saint Mary’s Huskies was a punter for Los Angeles when the Rams lost 31-19 to Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XIV in 1980. Wide receiver Tyrone Williams of the Western Ontario Mustangs was on the Dallas roster but did not dress when the Cowboys beat Buffalo 52-17 in Super Bowl XXVII in 1994. Jean-Philippe Darche of the McGill Redmen was the long snapper for Seattle when the Seahawks lost 21-10 to Pittsburgh a year ago.
Williams, who was also a Vanier Cup and Grey Cup champion, is the only former CIS football player to own a Super Bowl ring.
Idonije has played in 39 of the Bears 48 regular season games since joining Chicago in 2004. In four CIS campaigns at the University of Manitoba, he was selected to the First All-Canadian Team twice (2002, 2001) and also represented the CIS in the 2003 East West Shrine Game, an all-star showdown for draft eligible U.S. college players.
Federkeil was a Second Team All-Canadian in his fifth and final season at the University of Calgary and played in the East West Shrine Game a year ago.
The 2007 Super Bowl will be played at Dolphin Stadium in Miami on Sunday, Feb. 4.
Former CIS Players in the Super Bowl
Ken Clark, Saint Mary’s, punter
Signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Rams in 1979. Played only in 1979, tallying 93 punts for 3731 yards (40.1 avg), 1 carry for 3 yards and 2 passing completions in 2 attempts for 32 yards. Was the first CIS player to appear in the Super Bowl (SB XIV, 1980, Rams lost 31-19 to Pittsburgh).
Tyrone Williams, Western, wide receiver
Drafted by the Phoenix Cardinals in 1992 (9th round / 239th overall). Played 5 regular season games for Dallas Cowboys in 1993, making 1 reception for 25 yards. Was on Dallas roster but did not dress when the Cowboys beat Buffalo 52-17 in Super Bowl XXVII (1994), making him the only player in history to win a Super Bowl ring, a Grey Cup (1996, Toronto) and a Vanier Cup (1991, Western). In 1992, became the first Canadian player to compete in the American college all-star game, the Senior Bowl.
Jean-Philippe Darche, McGill, centre
Signed as a free-agent with the Seattle Seahawks in 2000. Has been on Seattle main roster since 2000. Became the second CIS player to dress for a Super Bowl game on Feb. 5, 2006 (SB XV, Seattle lost 21-10 to Pittsburgh). Had played 96 regular season games (all 16 per season) prior to 2006, handling all of Seattle’s long-snapping duties for 6 consecutive seasons, and being credited with 17 special team tackles (15 solo) and 1 forced fumble. Played first regular season game of 2006 season before being sidelined for the remainder of the campaign with a hip injury.
Israel Idonije, Manitoba, defensive end
Signed as a free-agent with the Cleveland Browns in 2003. Was on Cleveland practice roster in 2003. Signed as a free-agent with the Chicago Bears in 2004. Played 15 regular season games for Chicago in 2004, 11 in 2005 and 13 in 2006, as well as in the team’s first two playoff games in 2006. Had 1 sack, 10 solo tackles and 3 assisted tackles in 2004, 1 sack, 10 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles and 2 kickoff returns for 32 yards in 2005, and 13 tackles, including 9 solo, in 2006.
Dan Federkeil, Calgary, defensive end
Signed as free-agent with the Indianapolis Colts on May 1, 2006. Was waived on September 30 before being re-signed on December 2. Played in 2 regular season games and the Colts 1 playoff game. Was converted to offensive tackle by the Colts.
About Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada. Fifty-one members, 10,000 student-athletes and 550 coaches vie for 19 national championships in 11 different sports. The CIS also provides high performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, and 27 World University Championships.
For further information, visit www.universitysport.ca