Chidi Iwuoma Explained

Chidi Iwuoma
Number:40, 29, 28
Position:Cornerback
Birth Date:19 February 1978
Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:9
Weight Lbs:189
College:California
Undraftedyear:2001
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:85
Statlabel2:Forced fumbles
Statvalue2:2
Statlabel3:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue3:1
Statlabel4:Pass deflections
Statvalue4:2
Pfr:IwuoCh20

Chidi Francis Iwuoma (born February 19, 1978) is a former American football cornerback who is currently a scout for BLESTO. He was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football at California.

Iwuoma has also played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans. He won Super Bowl XL over the Seattle Seahawks with the Steelers.[1]

Early life

Iwuoma's parents were Nigerian immigrants. Chidi Iwuoma attended Pasadena High School in Pasadena, California.[2] He then attended the University of California, Berkeley where he played football. At California, Iwuoma returned kicks and punts while also playing cornerback.[3]

Chidi Iwuoma is a member of Iota Phi Theta fraternity.[4]

Professional career

Detroit Lions

Iwuoma signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent following the 2001 NFL draft.[5]

Pittsburgh Steelers

Iwuoma primarily played on special teams while with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He earned a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers following the 2005 season. Iwuoma was elected the special teams co-captain for two consecutive seasons. In 2006, he underwent shoulder surgery but returned in time for pre-season camp. During the pre-season he suffered a concussion and was released on September 6.[6]

New England Patriots

Iwuoma signed with the New England Patriots on October 4, 2006.[7] He was released on October 31.[8]

St. Louis Rams

A few weeks after his release from the Patriots, Iwuoma signed with the St. Louis Rams on November 14.[9] He was released again on November 28.[10]

Return to Pittsburgh

On December 5, 2006, with four games remaining in the season, the Steelers re-signed Iwuoma.[11] Iwuoma ended his 2006 season with the Steelers but dislocated his wrist.[12] He was re-signed on March 16, 2007 as an unrestricted free agent. The Steelers waived Iwuoma as a final cut on September 2.[13]

Tennessee Titans

He was signed by the Titans on December 26, 2007.[14] He became an unrestricted free agent after the season.[15]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
DET13 1 12 11 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
PIT13 0 17 13 4 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PIT15 0 14 11 3 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
PIT14 0 21 17 4 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
PIT16 0 15 12 3 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
PIT2 0 3 2 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
NWE3 0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TEN1 0 2 2 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
77 1 85 69 16 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 1 0 0

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
PIT2 0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PIT1 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PIT4 0 5 3 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TEN1 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 0 6 4 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

After professional career

Iwuoma worked with the University of California's Athletic Study Center from 2009–2012, where he served as Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Development. In May 2013 he joined the Steelers as their designated BLESTO scout.[16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chidi Iwuoma. NFL. April 11, 2010.
  2. Web site: Chidi Iwuoma. Cal Golden Bears. August 4, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120609121518/http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/iwuoma_chidi00.html. June 9, 2012. mdy-all.
  3. Web site: Stepping out of the shadows, into the spotlight . Green. Jared. September 1, 2000. The Berkeley Daily Planet. April 11, 2010.
  4. Web site: National Pan Hellenic Organizations | Iota Phi Theta | Prominent Members . 2011-05-02 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110723163655/http://www.ncat.edu/~greeklif/glo_ipt_members.html . July 23, 2011 . mdy .
  5. News: Steelers Re-Sign Chidi Iwuoma. March 16, 2007. WPXI.com. April 11, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607002741/http://www.wpxi.com/news/11270386/detail.html. June 7, 2011. mdy-all.
  6. News: Steelers sign St. Pierre, cut Iwuoma. September 7, 2006. The Pittsburgh Tribune. April 11, 2010. dead. https://archive.today/20120908011652/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_469364.html. September 8, 2012. mdy-all.
  7. News: Patriots sign veteran free agent CB Chidi Iwuoma; Sign first-year OT Sean Bubin to practice squad. https://archive.today/20120907070835/http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=21583&pcid=47. dead. September 7, 2012. October 4, 2006. Patriots.com. April 11, 2010.
  8. News: Patriots release CB Chidi Iwuoma and C Brian Barthelmes. https://archive.today/20120911150829/http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=22139&pcid=47. dead. September 11, 2012. October 31, 2006. Patriots.com. April 11, 2010.
  9. News: Panthers' Foster suffers elbow injury . October 20, 2006. USA Today. April 11, 2010.
  10. News: Transactions. New York Times. April 11, 2010 . November 29, 2006.
  11. News: Steelers release Staley; add Mays, Iwuoma to roster. Bouchette. Ed. December 5, 2006. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. April 11, 2010.
  12. News: Steelers place Brown, Iwuoma on injured reserve list. December 20, 2006. Pittsburgh Tribune. April 11, 2010.
  13. News: Haynes, Okobi top list of cuts. September 2, 2007. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. April 11, 2010 . Gerry . Dulac.
  14. News: Titans sign former Steelers DB Iwuoma. December 20, 2007. Associated Press. Pittsburgh Tribune. April 11, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071228033458/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_544693.html. December 28, 2007. mdy-all.
  15. News: This year's free-agent bargains. Ketchman. Vic. February 25, 2008. Jaguars.com. April 11, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100102105207/http://jaguars.com/news/article.aspx?id=6766. January 2, 2010. dead.
  16. Web site: Steelers Hire Chidi Iwuoma as BLESTO Scout. Steelers News. Steelers.com. 10 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130608001958/http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-Hire-Chidi-Iwuoma-as-BLESTO-Scout/07f90658-637b-4fe1-9ad7-f65c57bb5be6. June 8, 2013. dead.