Ma'ake_Kemoeatu

Maʻake Kemoeatu

Maʻake Kemoeatu

Tongan gridiron football player (born 1979)

Ma'ake Tu'amelie Kemoeatu (pronounced [maˈʔake kemoeˈatu]; born January 10, 1979) is a Tongan-American former professional American football player who played as a nose tackle. He was signed by the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played college football for the University of Utah Utes. Kemoeatu has also played for the Carolina Panthers and Washington Redskins. He is the older brother of former NFL offensive lineman Chris Kemoeatu.

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Early years

Kemoeatu was born in Tonga. His younger brother is Chris Kemoeatu, who also played football at the University of Utah and later entered the NFL. When he was a child his family moved to the U.S. state of Hawaii. He grew up in Kahuku, Hawaii, on the north shore of Oahu, and attended Kahuku High School.

College career

Kemoeatu was a four-year letterman and three-year starter at Utah. He started 35 of 43 games played in college, finishing his career with 160 tackles and nine sacks. He was suspended by the NCAA for his last college game, the 2001 Las Vegas Bowl, for buying two math books for his younger brother Tevita using scholarship money.[1]

Professional career

Baltimore Ravens

Kemoeatu played four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens from 2002 to 2005. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent in 2002.

Carolina Panthers

Kemoeatu signed with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent in 2006.

Kemoeatu suffered a torn right Achilles' tendon during the team's 2009 training camp. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on August 5. He was released on March 5, 2010.

Washington Redskins

On March 13, 2010, Kemoeatu signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the Washington Redskins.[2] He was released on July 28, 2011.[3]

Baltimore Ravens (second stint)

On May 2, 2012, Kemoeatu returned to the Baltimore Ravens. After a one-year hiatus from football, he lost 78 pounds, from 415 down to 337, in a serious attempt to resurrect his career. He wound up winning the starting Nose Tackle job from Terrence Cody, starting 13 games, recording 29 tackles, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble. He also would go on to win his first championship title when the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII before retiring from football.[4]

NFL career statistics

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Regular season

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Playoffs

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Personal life

He is the older brother of Chris Kemoeatu, who won Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

On August 27, 2014, Ma'ake donated a kidney to his brother, Chris.[5]

Honours

National honours

References

  1. [1]
    Hamilton, Linda (December 23, 2001). "NCAA throws the book at Kemoeatu". Salt Lake City Deseret News.
  2. [2]
    "Redskins sign NT Kemoeatu, who spent 2009 on injured reserve". NFL.com. March 10, 2010. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  3. [3]
    Rosenthal, Gregg (28 July 2011). "Release Tracker". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  4. [4]
    "Super Bowl XLVII - San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens - February 3rd, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2017-11-08.
  5. [5]
    Litman, Laken (18 September 2014). "Ravens player retires to give kidney to younger brother, a retired Steelers player". USA Today. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  6. [6]
    "Royal orders presented at Palace". Matangi Tonga. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
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