Ronnie Amadi

Ronnie Amadi (born October 6, 1981) is an American former professional football defensive back. He played arena football in the Arena Football League (AFL) and af2 as well as Canadian football in the Canadian Football League (CFL). His most substantial professional experience came with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL, where he started 11 games as a defensive halfback. He played college football at the University of Kansas. Amadi also played for the New York Dragons and the Tulsa Talons of the AFL.

Early life

Amadi and his brother, Donnie Amadi, were born in Columbia, South Carolina. The brothers lived in Nigeria for six years with their father, John Amadi, before returning to the United States to live with their mother, Christiana Georgewill, in Houston, Texas. While in Nigeria, the Amadi brothers frequently played soccer, but they transitioned to American football upon moving to Texas.

As a freshman, Amadi was designated a redshirt and did not play. As a backup cornerback in 2002, Amadi received substantial playing time due to personnel changes resulting in him being the sole backup to both starting cornerbacks. After backing up cornerback Theo Baines as a junior, Amadi started much of his senior season in place of Baines due to nagging injuries. In a November game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Amadi blocked a punt which was returned for a touchdown by teammate Darren Rus, marking the second time the two had combined to return a blocked punt for a touchdown. By early November, Amadi had recorded 22 tackles and two fumble recoveries in his final and most successful college season. Amadi also played on the college indoor track and field team while at Kansas when not involved in football activities. Amadi played for the Green Bay Blizzard of af2 in 2007 before returning to the AFL with the New York Dragons the following year. He recorded 20 solo tackles, nine tackle assists, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery for the Dragons.

In 2009, Amadi signed with the Calgary Stampeders and joined the team in the middle of training camp. Amadi was initially considered unlikely to play a large role, but he was forced into a starting role after two knee injuries to starting defensive halfbacks Brandon Smith and J. R. Ruffin. Amadi struggled in his first starts for the Stampeders, but he improved as the season continued. He started in 11 consecutive games before being moved to the practice squad, where he remained for the rest of the season. Before being moved off the active roster, Amadi recorded 28 tackles, three pass deflections, and a sack. He later re-signed with the Stampeders but was released after suffering a strained quadriceps in the preseason. Amadi played for the Tulsa Talons of the AFL in 2010, recording 24 solo tackles, six tackle assists, seven pass breakups and one fumble recovery.

Personal life Away from football, Amadi has also spent time as a model.