Ex-Raven donates kidney to brother, ex-Steeler
Source: Associated Press
Sep 17, 6:15 PM EDT
Ex-Raven donates kidney to brother, ex-Steeler
By JULIET LINDERMAN
Associated Press
BALTIMORE (AP) -- On the field, their ex-teams are huge NFL rivals.
Off the field, brothers Ma'ake (May-ah-kay) Kemoeatu (Kee-mo-ee-ah-tu), an ex-Baltimore Raven, and Chris Kemoeatu, an ex-Pittsburgh Steeler, are closer than close. When Chris' pro football career was cut short because he needed a kidney transplant, his older brother, whose organ was good match, quit the Ravens and donated his kidney to his 31-year-old brother.
University of Maryland Medical Center transplant surgeon Dr. Stephen Bartlett said Wednesday that the surgery done Aug. 27 was a great success, and both brothers are on their way to recovery.
"He couldn't play anymore, and I didn't want to be in a position where he couldn't play but I'd keep playing," the 35-year-old former Ravens nose tackle said. "As soon as my brother's health was at risk I wanted to stop everything."
The procedure itself was daunting for the University of Maryland medical staff, as what was an asset on the football field proved to be an obstacle on the operating table.
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