A very touching story about family
Ma’ake Kemoeatu, an ex-Baltimore Raven, and Chris Kemoeatu, an ex-Pittsburgh Steeler exemplify the well known saying. The younger Chris was forced to cut his NFL career short due to health problems as he was in need of a kidney transplant. The kidney issue was nothing new to Chris as he had problems since the 8th grade, according to his family. He always just played through the pain at every level of competition, but eventually it became to be too much. At 6’3, 385 pounds, there are not many options for a donor as his kidney was one and a half times larger than the typical organ in many adults.
His brother (oldest of 7) Ma’ake Kemoeatu had always taken his role seriously as caretaker of his younger siblings so it was no second thought whether or not he would donate his own. He strongly stated, ”I’m the oldest of the seven kids, and it’s my responsibility to take care of my younger brothers and sisters. If my younger siblings need blood, it’ll be my blood. If they need a kidney, it’ll have to be my kidney.” Not just words, but something he stood by and his actions reflected it when he prematurely retired from the NFL so that the two could begin the process.
After a grueling year and a half, one in which Chris also had to have heart surgery, the two were prepared for the transplant. Ma’ake lightened the subject saying “I didn’t know how it was gonna go, I am afraid of needles.” But, that is just the personality he carries – always trying to make the situation better. The surgery was a success and the two brothers are recovering on pace. Both speak highly of their past teammates saying the outreach has been exceptional and everyone has been supportive.
A humbling experience? Yes, very much so according to younger brother Chris. Although, the two were rivals on the field (battling through the AFC East to win a combined three Super Bowls between the two) nothing can come between them.
In the simplest of ways for a younger brother to express gratitude to an older brother. Chris looked at Ma’ake and said “I love you man.”