[Kenechi Udeze, the Vikings defensive end who missed last season because of leukemia, has retired.
Coach Brad Childress said today that Udeze, the team's first-round draft choice out (20th overall) in 2004 out of USC, has ended his comeback attempt. Efforts to reach Udeze were unsuccessful.
Udeze tied for the team lead in sacks in 2007, but got sick following the season and
was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Feb., 2008. He had a bone marrow transplant last July and felt well enough to participate in this springs mini-camps and organized team activities.
But after the practices, Udeze apparently decided he needed to devote his time to fighting his illness.
After a June workout, he told the Star Tribune: "I'd be lying if I said it was easy here was never an easy point. The first time I went back to USC and started working out with the fellas, I fell. I took two steps and I fell. I took small steps at first and, to here I am now, I can't complain."
At the time, Udeze said he had recently had a biopsy. Childress also said at the time he thought Udeze, who was a little heavy, would be 100 percent by the time the team reported to Mankato.]
We here at The Purple Report wish Udeze all the best and hope that his life is full of nothing but positives from here on out.
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