George Iloka

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George Iloka: A quick, easy-to-read look

George Arinze Iloka is a former NFL safety who played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings, and Dallas Cowboys. He was born on March 31, 1990, in Houston, Texas. Iloka is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighed about 225 pounds during his playing days.

Early life and college
- Grew up in Texas and went to Kempner High School in Sugar Land.
- Attended Boise State University (2008–2011), where he was a three-year starter.
- In 2011, he earned first-team All-MWC honors and helped Boise State go 12–1 that year.
- Finished his college career with 231 tackles, 24 passes defensed, seven interceptions, and a sack.
- Was recognized as a top safety prospect after his senior season and played in the 2012 Senior Bowl.

NFL career

Cincinnati Bengals (2012–2017)
- Drafted in the fifth round (167th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Bengals.
- Spent his rookie season as a backup and special-teams player.
- Became a full-time starter in 2013 and developed into a solid safety for Cincinnati.
- Notable 2014 season: 74 tackles, 10 passes defensed, and 3 interceptions.
- 2016: signed a five-year, $30 million contract extension with the Bengals.
- 2017: recorded a season-high 80 tackles. Was suspended for one game in December for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Antonio Brown, later reduced to a fine on appeal.
- Released by the Bengals on August 19, 2018.

Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys
- Signed by the Minnesota Vikings shortly after his Bengals release (2018).
- In 2019, joined the Dallas Cowboys on a one-year deal but was released at the end of the preseason.
- Returned to the Vikings in 2020, spending time on the practice squad and active roster. He was placed on injured reserve in October 2020.

Career stats and impact
- Total tackles: 365
- Pass deflections: 32
- Interceptions: 9
- Forced fumbles: 3
- Fumble recoveries: 1

Personal notes
- Iloka is the son of immigrant parents and is of Nigerian descent.
- His younger brother, Kenny Iloka, played college football at TCU.

George Iloka concluded his NFL career as a durable, hard-hitting safety who started many games for the Bengals and contributed as a reliable veteran in the later stops with Minnesota and Dallas.