BALTIMORE, Maryland — Brothers Ma’ake and Chris Kemoeatu both played college football at the University of Utah, and both went on to have careers in the NFL.
Chris’ NFL career was cut short because he needed a kidney transplant. His big brother Ma’ake stepped in to donate the much-needed organ.
The surgery was performed on August 27 at the University of Maryland Medical Center and it was announced Wednesday the surgery was a success.
Chris started to have kidney pain in the eighth grade. He grew up to be a 6 foot 3 inch, 385 pound lineman and he won two Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He played through the pain that was later discovered as a form of kidney disease.
Chris stopped playing after the 2011 season and Ma’ake ended his career with the Baltimore Ravens after the 2012 season to be with his younger brother.
Ma’ake is the oldest of seven children, so he took it as his responsibility to help Chris.
