 Kemoeatu at Ravens M&T Bank Stadium practice in August 2012. |
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Free agent
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| Nose tackle | |||||||||
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Personal information
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| Date of birth: January 10, 1979 | |||||||||
| Place of birth: Pule'anga Fakatu'i'o, Tonga | |||||||||
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Career information
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| High school: Kahuku (HI) | |||||||||
| College: Utah | |||||||||
| Undrafted in 2002 | |||||||||
| Debuted in 2002 for the Baltimore Ravens | |||||||||
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Career history
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Career highlights and awards
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Career NFL statistics as of 2012
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Ma'ake Tu'amelie Kemoeatu (pronounced [maˈʔake kemoeˈatu]; born January 10, 1979) is a Tongan professional American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. 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 NFL offensive lineman Chris Kemoeatu, and is one of several Tongans currently playing in the NFL.
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Early years[edit]
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, near Honolulu, and attended Kahuku High School.
College career[edit]
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[edit]
Baltimore Ravens[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
On March 13, 2010 Kemoeatu signed a two year, $7 million contract with the Washington Redskins. He was released on July 28, 2011.[2]
Second stint with the Baltimore Ravens[edit]
On May 2nd, 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 got his first championship title when the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII over the 49ers.
Personal[edit]
He is the older brother of Chris Kemoeatu who won Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
References[edit]
- ^ Hamilton, Linda (December 23, 2001). "NCAA throws the book at Kemoeatu". Salt Lake City Deseret News.
- ^ Rosenthal, Gregg. "Release Tracker". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
External links[edit]
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