Chidi Iwuoma
Chidi Francis Iwuoma is an American former professional football player who is a scout for BLESTO. He played as a a cornerback in the National Football League. Iwuoma played college football for the California Golden Bears before being signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2001.
Iwuoma has also played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans. He won Super Bowl XL with the Steelers.
Early life
Iwuoma's parents were Nigerian immigrants. Chidi Iwuoma attended Pasadena High School in Pasadena, California. He then attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he played football for the California Golden Bears, returning kicks and punts while also playing cornerback.
Chidi Iwuoma is a member of Iota Phi Theta fraternity.
Professional career
Detroit Lions
Iwuoma signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent following the 2001 NFL draft.
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.
Iwuoma signed with the New England Patriots on October 4, 2006. He was released on October 31.
St. Louis Rams
A few weeks after his release from the Patriots, Iwuoma signed with the St. Louis Rams on November 14. He was released again on November 28.
Return to Pittsburgh
On December 5, 2006, with four games remaining in the season, the Steelers re-signed Iwuoma. Iwuoma ended his 2006 season with the Steelers but dislocated his wrist. He was re-signed on March 16, 2007, as an unrestricted free agent. The Steelers waived Iwuoma as a final cut on September 2.
Tennessee Titans
He was signed by the Titans on December 26, 2007. He became an unrestricted free agent after the season.
After professional career
Iwuoma worked with the University of California's Athletic Study Center from 2009 to 2012, where he served as assistant director of Student-Athlete Development. In May 2013 he joined the Steelers as their designated BLESTO scout.