Chinedum Ndukwe
Encyclopedia
Chinedum "Nedu" Ndukwe (born March 4, 1985) is an American football
safety who is currently a free agent
. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals
in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft
. He played college football
for the University of Notre Dame
.
He has also played for the Oakland Raiders
.
for his Junior and Senior seasons. He played in 46 games with 25 starts, made 157 tackles and took one opposing player's shoe off the field with him.
One of Chinedum Ndukwe's most notable games came as a senior in 2006, when he laid a crushing hit to Georgia Tech
's All-American wide receiver Calvin Johnson
. During his tenure at Notre Dame his fellow Dublin Coffman graduate, Brady Quinn
was his roommate. Ndukwe had a double major: Marketing & Psychology.
in the seventh round (253rd overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft
. Ndukwe made an immediate impact by playing in 14 games and starting two in place of an injured Dexter Jackson at strong safety. Ndukwe finished the season with 35 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions, six pass deflections, a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown, and one forced fumble. He finished the season by being one of four Bengals to log an entry in every statistical column on the defensive stat sheet for the season. Ndukwe missed the second and third games of the season due to a hamstring injury suffered against the Baltimore Ravens
. In a December 23 contest against the Cleveland Browns
, Ndukwe totaled two interceptions off quarterback Derek Anderson
. His first interception was returned 44 yards to the five yard line, setting up a Bengals' score. His next interception came off of a pass intended for tight end Kellen Winslow
that Ndukwe grabbed in the endzone. He also recorded 12 tackles, which was second-best on the team. In a November game against the Ravens, Ndukwe intercepted a Kyle Boller
pass in the endzone in the fourth quarter.
In the season finale against the Miami Dolphins
, Ndukwe got the ball and returned a fumble 54 yards for a touchdown that put the Bengals ahead 28-10 in the fourth quarter. After the touchdown, excited commentator Joe Woeste claimed Ndukwe was a future Hall of Famer. Ndukwe could have missed at least 4–6 weeks after injuring his knee in training camp practice. He was competing with Dexter Jackson, for the starting safety role; however, in 2009 the Bengals cut Dexter Jackson leaving Ndukwe as the starting strong safety.
He became a free agent after the 2010 season.
signed Ndukwe on October 18, 2011, only to be waived on November 10.
, Marvin White
, Nate Livings
and a few other Bengals participated in the Cody Holp charity fund Basketball Game at Tri-County North High School
in Lewisburg, Ohio
on March 1, 2008. Ndukwe is the youngest of the three sons, his oldest brother Kelechi is a Lieutenant Surface Warfare Officer in the United States NAVY, currently serving onboard the USS FITZGERALD. The middle brother, Ikechukwu
, is an offensive tackle in the NFL who is currently a free agent.
In 2008 Ndukwe attended the Harvard Business School
, followed by the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania
in 2009 for the NFL Business Management Program. He is an owner of the Rookwood Bar & Restaurant in Mount Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio). The building was listed on the U.S. Department of the Interior's National Register of Historic Places in December 1972, as it was the birthplace of the world renowned Rookwood Pottery Company
. Ndukwe sits on the Board of Directors for the NuWay Foundation and is committed to numerous charities in both Cincinnati and Columbus. His donation in 2008 saved the football season for a youth football team in one of Columbus' inner-city neighborhoods.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
safety who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
.
He has also played for the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
College career
After graduating from Dublin Coffman High School, Ndukwe went on to start as safety for the University of Notre DameUniversity of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
for his Junior and Senior seasons. He played in 46 games with 25 starts, made 157 tackles and took one opposing player's shoe off the field with him.
One of Chinedum Ndukwe's most notable games came as a senior in 2006, when he laid a crushing hit to Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
's All-American wide receiver Calvin Johnson
Calvin Johnson (American football)
Calvin Johnson, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Lions second overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia Tech....
. During his tenure at Notre Dame his fellow Dublin Coffman graduate, Brady Quinn
Brady Quinn
Brayden Tyler "Brady" Quinn is an American football quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. Quinn was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame.-Early Years:Brayden Tyler "Brady" Quinn was born on...
was his roommate. Ndukwe had a double major: Marketing & Psychology.
Cincinnati Bengals
Ndukwe was drafted by the Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
in the seventh round (253rd overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
. Ndukwe made an immediate impact by playing in 14 games and starting two in place of an injured Dexter Jackson at strong safety. Ndukwe finished the season with 35 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions, six pass deflections, a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown, and one forced fumble. He finished the season by being one of four Bengals to log an entry in every statistical column on the defensive stat sheet for the season. Ndukwe missed the second and third games of the season due to a hamstring injury suffered against the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
. In a December 23 contest against the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Ndukwe totaled two interceptions off quarterback Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson (American football)
Derek Matthew Anderson is an American football quarterback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
. His first interception was returned 44 yards to the five yard line, setting up a Bengals' score. His next interception came off of a pass intended for tight end Kellen Winslow
Kellen Winslow
Kellen Boswell Winslow is a former American football tight end with the Missouri Tigers and the San Diego Chargers. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest tight ends in the history of the game. He is currently the athletic director at Central State University.Winslow did not play high...
that Ndukwe grabbed in the endzone. He also recorded 12 tackles, which was second-best on the team. In a November game against the Ravens, Ndukwe intercepted a Kyle Boller
Kyle Boller
Kyle Bryan Boller is an American football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at The University of California.Boller has also played for the St...
pass in the endzone in the fourth quarter.
In the season finale against the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Ndukwe got the ball and returned a fumble 54 yards for a touchdown that put the Bengals ahead 28-10 in the fourth quarter. After the touchdown, excited commentator Joe Woeste claimed Ndukwe was a future Hall of Famer. Ndukwe could have missed at least 4–6 weeks after injuring his knee in training camp practice. He was competing with Dexter Jackson, for the starting safety role; however, in 2009 the Bengals cut Dexter Jackson leaving Ndukwe as the starting strong safety.
He became a free agent after the 2010 season.
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland RaidersOakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
signed Ndukwe on October 18, 2011, only to be waived on November 10.
Personal
Ndukwe also with fellow teammate Daniel CoatsDaniel Coats (American football)
Daniel Coats is an American football Fullback who is currently a Free Agent. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
, Marvin White
Marvin White
Marvin L. White is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
, Nate Livings
Nate Livings
Nathaniel Joseph Livings is an American football guard for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was signed by the Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
and a few other Bengals participated in the Cody Holp charity fund Basketball Game at Tri-County North High School
Tri-County North High School
Tri-County North High School is a public high school residing in Lewisburg, Ohio. Their mascot is the Panther. They have a cross country, football, volleyball, soccer, baseball, golf, and softball team.-External links:*...
in Lewisburg, Ohio
Lewisburg, Ohio
Lewisburg is a village in Preble County, Ohio, United States, founded in 1818. The current village incorporates two prior villages, the original Lewisburg and Euphemia, which merged in 1916. The population was 1,798 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Dayton Metropolitan Statistical...
on March 1, 2008. Ndukwe is the youngest of the three sons, his oldest brother Kelechi is a Lieutenant Surface Warfare Officer in the United States NAVY, currently serving onboard the USS FITZGERALD. The middle brother, Ikechukwu
Ike Ndukwe
Ikechukwu Nelson "Ike" Ndukwe is an American football offensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
, is an offensive tackle in the NFL who is currently a free agent.
In 2008 Ndukwe attended the Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive...
, followed by the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
in 2009 for the NFL Business Management Program. He is an owner of the Rookwood Bar & Restaurant in Mount Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio). The building was listed on the U.S. Department of the Interior's National Register of Historic Places in December 1972, as it was the birthplace of the world renowned Rookwood Pottery Company
Rookwood Pottery Company
Rookwood Pottery is an American ceramics company now located in the Mount Adams neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1880, and successful until the Great Depression, production has been intermittent and at a low level since 1967, though there was a change of ownership in 2006, and expansion...
. Ndukwe sits on the Board of Directors for the NuWay Foundation and is committed to numerous charities in both Cincinnati and Columbus. His donation in 2008 saved the football season for a youth football team in one of Columbus' inner-city neighborhoods.