Kenechi Udeze Announces Retirement

Udeze announced his retirement Thursday, just one day before the first practice of Training Camp, effectively ending his inspirational comeback from Leukemia. The fact that he made it this close to camp so soon after undergoing radiation treatments and a bone marrow transplant is nothing short of miraculous.

Picked in the first round of the 2004 draft, Kenechi was a starting defensive end for the Vikings for four years. After being diagnosed with Leukemia, he was placed on Non-Football Related Injured Reserve - which means the team didn't have to pay him. However, they still gave him his base salary of $807,500 so that he could worry solely about his recovery, and not about how he would afford all the treatment. At the end of the 2008 season, he was awarded the Ed Block Courage Award and took place in this off-season minicamps.

Don't ever say the disease got the better of him, Kenechi is expected to be graduating from his alma matter with a degree in Sociology, takes part in cancer research events, and made it a day away from another NFL training camp. The physical stress of the NFL is enough to get the better of some of the best athletes out there, its not made for just anyone. The fact he made it this close, a year removed from his transplant, is just plain inspirational. I will never forget his story.

In my eyes, he will go down as one of the toughest players to ever wear purple. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us, Kenechi.

Good luck & God Bless. Enjoy your new lease on life.