At a time on the NFL calendar when weekends involving young men plus money plus free time plus alcohol can result in bad press for the league and its teams, there’s an extremely positive story that should outshine anything negative.
Vikings defensive end Kenechi Udeze, a first-round pick in 2004, has returned the practice field after missing all of the 2008 season due to leukemia.
“I’d be lying if I said it was easy,” he said Friday, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “There was never an easy point. The first time I went back to USC and started working out with the fellas, I fell. I took two steps and I fell. I took small steps at first and, to where I am now, I can’t complain.”
Udeze had a bone marrow transplant last July, and believes he’ll be at 100 percent come training camp. He recently underwent a biopsy.
“That’s where they go in and take a little piece of your bone marrow and it hurts the day after,” Udeze said. “Like I said, I’ve seen children deal with what I’m dealing with. And if they can deal with it, then I shouldn’t make any complaints.”
So at a time when, in our estimation, more than a few folks who support Mike Vick’s immediate reinstatement are being influenced by their desire to see what Vick can do after two years in jail, we’re far more interested in witnessing the much more impressive and inspiring comeback attempt that Kenechi Udeze is in the midst of pursuing.
Kenechi Udeze Continues Remarkable Comeback
Posted by Mike Florio on May 30, 2009, 12:28 PM EDT
17 Responses to “Kenechi Udeze Continues Remarkable Comeback”
Good luck BKU
I really hope that Mr. Udeze can make it back to have a successful career. I’m a Green Bay Packer Fanatic and I despise the vikings and everything about them. Unlike the queen’s fans I can look at humanity side of football and appreciate his struggle and perseverance.
Good Story and it should be followed.
Great feel good story.
Good Luck Kenechi! brambo09, your an idiot.
A Die Hard Bears fan here and I wish BKU a warm welcome back and add he’s defiantly an inspiration to us all.
This is first post for PFT, and I just wanted to say THANKS for providing this article. Great story!
My Aunt overcame Lukemia two years ago. I can tell you after watching her battle through this, Kenechi has been to hell and back. Stay healthy, Kenechi and go out and make that damn team.
If Keneche makes the team in any capacity, he should be a sure thing for comeback player of the year. Hands down. His story is an inspiration to all. I’m amazed that I haven’t seen any stories by ESPN or NFL network on this amazing story. Maybe he should kill some dogs, or fight somebody, or retire than unretire then retire then unretire again then people would hear about it.
well said Florio.
this guy should be a helluva lot more interesting
that sluggo Vick
heres hoping that he can just make the final 53 and be
an example to those kids he mentioned who have gone thru
what he has, if you persevere.
Amen to that!!! This is a true man. It’s refreshing to see a humble man like this look up to kids when it’s usually the reverse.
God Bless Kenechi and Godspeed his recovery.
Kenechi, you are a remarkable person and I’m honored that you are part of the Minnesota Vikings. I cant wait to see you play this year. Welcome back Good luck stay healthy
Just like a Packers fan, brambo09 claims some backward superiority. How dare brambo09 make Udeze’s incredible recovery from CANCER into a slam on Vikings fans! This fantastic young man has CANCER! His very LIFE is threatened, you inbred MORON. Notice how all the other posts are congratulating him and wishing him well. If you have to slam somebody, unload on someone NOT fighting for their lives, you pathetic garbage.
If Udeze continues towards making a full comback, it should be an interesting battle at LE with Ray Edwards, and hopefully Brian Robison ( who I think is underrated and is quite good. watch the snaps he comes in as a sub.)
Mad props to Udeze. I’ll be rooting him on. The guy is an inspiration to every cancer patient and survivor out there. GO UDEZE!!!
Good story and as a Vikings and Trojans fan I’ve always hoped for the best with Udeze and I hope he makes a full comeback and gives us some more stability opposite the best DE in the league Jared Allen. He’s not going to be double teamed if he beats out Edwards he could have a big year!
GREAT STORY. HOPE EVERYTHING WORKS OUT