Kenechi Udeze Retires

by TheViking83 on Jul 29, 2009 6:34 PM CDT

Sad news. I wish him the best in the future.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcnorth/0-12-241/Vikings--Udeze-retires.html

MANKATO, Minn. -- Some sad news to report from Minnesota's training camp. Defensive end Kenechi Udeze, who was attempting a comeback after recovering from an acute form of leukemia, has retired.

Coach Brad Childress confirmed the decision to Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune. Udeze's reasons were not immediately clear, and Childress did not mention Udeze during an interview session with Wednesday afternoon with a group of reporters.

Udeze, the Vikings' No. 1 pick in 2004, missed last season after undergoing a bone marrow transplant. He participated in most of the Vikings' offseason practices but acknowledged in May that he needed to improve his conditioning. He was also dealing with a side effect of chemotherapy, known as neuropathy, that made it difficult to run at times.

Udeze handled his illness pride, bravery and class. We wish him the best.

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.

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Comments

Ah man. This loss is far more disappointing than the loss of Favre. I wish him the best, may his life after football be a much happier, more satisfying one.

In AP I trust
Just say no to Favre.
F-A-R-V-A =/= F-A-V-R-E

by FarvaForTheVikings on Jul 29, 2009 6:50 PM CDT reply actions

Another sad day...

I was rooting so much for Udeze, he was always a good kid. I wanted to see him comeback and succeed in the NFL. I hope for all the best for Udeze, and hopefully he can remain with the team in spirit. It’s always terrible to see someone’s career end due to an illness or disease, especially one like Udeze’s, which could have been the feel good story of this season.

Best of luck Kenechi, I’ll still rock your jersey! (Yes, I have a Udeze jersey from ’04)

by Eric The Viking on Jul 29, 2009 7:06 PM CDT reply actions

Man this sucks. I was hoping he’d make it back, like everybody else. I’m not going to assume why he decided to retire, but I’m sure if he felt it was necessary then it was.

by Frost on Jul 29, 2009 9:43 PM CDT reply actions

Best of luck to you and get your health back!

by suitup17 on Jul 29, 2009 11:37 PM CDT reply actions

I wish him well

This is really rough for both him, and for the Vikings, I wish him the very best of fortune and better health in the future.

Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!

by DCPurple on Jul 30, 2009 8:58 AM CDT reply actions