Humility is a character trait we throw around, but it’s rare to find anyone with a truly humble attitude towards anything. With that said, we had the opportunity to sit down with a player who we believe may be a good fit. He even opened the second half of the conversation saying, “I have to treat this like my NFL.” Who is this player? Well, All-IFL hopeful Chima Dunga, a 6’2”, 305-pound, fifth-year defensive lineman out of Quad Cities.
Table of Contents
Before Arena Ball
Similar to most players who rise to the top level of indoor football, Chima Dunga would stand out in high school. After a stellar career at Paramus Catholic HS, the recruiting letters would pile up, with the bull dozer of a D-lineman landing at Lackawanna Community College. Once again, standing out and moving up and on to Morgan State. As a player who has always valued his education (and a life after football), he would graduate from Morgan State, but with COVID and a new coaching staff post-COVID, he would hit the portal.
In a move to ensure playing time and the ability to develop, Chima Dunga would land at D II Central Missouri. According to his account, his time with the Mules was one of, if not the single best experience of this playing career. The smaller school would do him well, just like his previous stops; he would be a force for anyone unfortunate to cross his path on a football field. But don’t take our word for it; check out his stats from UCM HERE.
His Journey
After finishing out his college eligibility in 2021, Chima Dunga would look for the next opportunity, aiming for the NFL. He would go to a private tryout for the Chiefs that offseason, though nothing would come of it. As the story goes, he would stay in football shape and continue to look for a chance. Not only a chance to play football, but a chance to contribute to a team, to be a part of something greater than just himself.
That chance wouldn’t take too long to take shape. Just over halfway through the 2022 Sioux Falls Storm season, coach Kurtis Riggs would make the move to sign him. Immediately contributing, he would appear in the final five games of the season. Said season would see him finish with 10 Solo tackles, 14 total, and a pass deflection as a rookie. Heading into 2023, things seemed like they could only go up, but no football journey is without a little adversity. Sioux Falls would re-sign Chima Dunga for 2023. After completing part of that campaign, he would be cut.
Getting cut for the first time is always tough, and for many players, that’s the end. The noise and self-doubt will creep in, followed by just moving on, but not for the Central Missouri product. He would pull himself back up and find a home for the remainder of the 2023 season. Though it was short-lived at the end of the season, he found a spot with the Blizzard for the final few games of 2023.
Now this is where the highlight film begins! Coming into 2024, attention from the entire indoor football world ended in pen to paper. Where else besides one of the better defenses of 2024, with Tulsa. The fireworks began early and never stopped. No. 90 (he wore #90 for the 2024 season) would record a solo tackle in every game he played in, sometimes as many as five. The highlight of the year would come against what would become his next home, in Quad City, grabbing 3 TFLs and a sack.
Chima Dunga, Quad City Steamwheelers
Once again, the developing D-Lineman would go into the offseason looking for an opportunity. Which leads us to his current IFL home in Quad City. Last season, in 2025, gave Chima Dunga the chance to show his humility. For the first time in a while, he wasn’t a clear No.1 on the depth chart and was utilized as more of an off-the-bench player, holding a roster spot to provide depth. When we asked him how he responded to being on the wrong side of the wall, what we heard back was unexpected.
No. 91 didn’t blame the coaches; he didn’t have an excuse, not even blaming injury or unfair treatment. Instead, he made it very clear, instead of self-pity or the aforementioned self-doubt, that he was bound and determined to find a way to contribute. According to his own words, it didn’t matter what he had to do. Even running down on kickoffs at 305 pounds was on the table (something he actually did).
Coming into 2026, it was a no-brainer for Chima Dunga to resign with the Steam Wheelers. When discussing his time in Moline, he was quick to express his appreciation for the fanbase. He went on to explain that they found him on Facebook and various Social media sites and how encouraging they were. He really enjoys the fan fair, and as a fan, he could be the most approachable player you meet, despite being fairly intimidating physically.
When goals for the 2026 season came up, three things seemed to come up over and over. The first and most important was simply improving as a man and a football player. Second? Of course, to earn All-IFL honors and dominate inside the walls. And the last? Well, it’s the most lofty of the three, but to get a call-up. A call-up, preferably to the CFL, because of its similarity to the indoor game.
Offseason and Life After Football
In previous Player Spotlights, we haven’t covered the offseason activities, but with Chima Dunga, we couldn’t help but include them. His offseason isn’t only interesting, it’s preparing him for what life looks like once he hangs up the turf shoes (or Cleats) for the very last time. What exactly is he doing?
Well, a lot. First things first, when he isn’t on a fifty-yard field, he is on a more traditional one, at St. Ambrose of the NAIA. He uses his experience through three different colleges and a pro career to develop the new crop of football players as a defensive line coach. We found it unique that he could leave an impression on his players while playing. He even mentioned that it “added a layer of understanding and respect”, and that “it enhanced his ability to reach them”.
If that was all he was up to. We would be impressed, but it’s far from it. When he isn’t wearing a helmet or headset, he is in a classroom himself, working on his Master’s in Organizational Leadership.
The IFL standout has dreams of one day becoming a College GM (or Indoor), and if success follows, even owning some form of an indoor team. We at Shady Sports will be watching and rooting for No.91 Chima Dunga as he heads into a self-described “make-it-or-break-it year.”
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