Kenechi Udeze

Professional football defensive end Kenechi Udeze plays with the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. Udeze was diagnosed with leukemia in 2008 and has been sidelined for the entire 2008 season while undergoing treatment. In November of 2008, Udeze stated that he hopes to return to the team in 2009.¹

Fast Facts

1. Born: March 5, 1983²
2. Birthplace: Los Angeles, California²
3. Height: 6'3"²
4. Weight: 281 lbs.²
5. Position: Defensive end²
6. College: University of Southern California²
7. Won the 2004 Rose Bowl with USC²
8. Wife: Terrica²
9. Daughter: Bailey (2007)²

Football Career

Udeze played college football with the USC Trojans, where he was redshirted on 2000. He went on to earn three each All-American and All-Pac-10 selections as well as help the Trojans win the Rose Bowl in 2004. Following college, Udeze was drafted 20th overall in the 2004 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He made his NFL debut that same year, starting in 15 of 16 games that he played. Udeze was limited to three games in 2005 after suffering a knee injury that required surgery. He returned to the Vikings in 2006, joining them for all 16 games in the 2006 and 2007 seasons.² In February of 2008, Udeze was diagnosed with leukemia. He received a bone marrow transplant from his brother in July of 2008.¹

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