Chidi Iwuoma

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Chidi Iwuoma
Date of birth	February 19, 1978 (age 29)
Place of birth	Los Angeles, CA
Position(s)	Cornerback
College	California
Statistics	CBS.com DatabaseFootball
Team(s)
2001 2002-present	Detroit Lions Pittsburgh Steelers

Chidi Iwuoma (born February 19, 1978 in Los Angeles, California) is an American football cornerback, currently with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL. He played for the Detroit Lions during the 2001 season, and began his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2002 season. His jersey number is 29.

Iwuoma primarily plays on special teams (kick-off and punt coverage)with the Steelers. For two seasons he served as the Special Teams Co-Captain. Iwuoma won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers following the 2005 season.

2006 was a roller coaster season for Iwuoma. After winning the Super Bowl, he underwent shoulder surgery. He rehabilitated himself in time for pre-season camp. During a pre-season match, he suffered a concusion. While recouperating, in a surprise roster move the day before the official start of the regular season, the Steelers released him on September 7, 2006 to make room on the roster for quarterback Brian St. Pierre after the Steeler's starting quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, had an emergency appendectomy. On October 4, 2006, the New England Patriots signed Iwuoma, then released him on October 31st. On November 14, 2006, Iwuoma signed with the St. Louis Rams, then was released on November 28th. The Steelers defense suffered during the 2006 season, and Iwuoma's absence from the team was missed by the Steelers organization, loyal fans, and the sports media that questioned his abrupt release throughout the season. On December 5, 2006, with four games remaining in the season, the Steelers re-signed Iwuoma. His superior skills proved to be most valuable to the team, after all.

Iwuoma ended his 2006 season with the Steelers by way of a dislocated wrist that required surgery. Despite his dramatic season, a Steelers front office exective said of him, "There goes one of the most loved guys on the team."

Iwuoma is a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

Iwuoma, a Los Angeles native, is a first-generation American, born of Nigerian parents.

During the off-season, Iwuoma is a dedicated volunteer.

Iwuoma resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.

[edit] High school

Iwuoma attended Pasadena High School in Pasadena, California. He graduated in 1996.

[edit] College

Iwuoma attended the University of California, Berkeley where he was a stand-out PAC-10 football star. His jersey number was 25. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Social Welfare in 2001.