Ma’ake Kemoeatu, former player for the Baltimore Ravens, ended his NFL career early to donate a kidney to his younger brother, and former Pittsburgh Steeler, Chris Kemoeatu.

Ma’ake Cut NFL Career Short To Donate Kidney

Ma’ake started with the Ravens as a free agent in 2002, and played for the team until 2012, when his brother, Chris was told he was in need of a kidney transplant. Since he was a young boy, Chris had kidney problems, but he played through his health troubles, following his brother to the NFL, eventually winning two Super Bowls with the Steelers, until the pain forced him to end his career early after the 2011 season.

“I’ve seen him struggle and the last three years of his career, fighting through a lot because of his kidney. When we found out he needed a transplant, we had to stop our careers because his health was most important to us,” Ma’ake said at a press conference held Wednesday at the University of Maryland, where they are receiving medical care.

The brothers, both tall and wide, were a near perfect biological match. The entire family was tested to see whether or not any one of them would be a viable donor, and, while other siblings tested an 85 percent match, Ma’ake was a rare 99 percent match.

“I’m the oldest of the seven kids, so it was my responsibility to take care of my younger brothers and sisters. If my brother or any of my siblings needed blood, it would be my blood. If my brothers or sisters needed a kidney, it would have to be my kidney,” Ma’ake said.

At the press conference, Chris laughed about having the kidney of his rival – the Ravens – saying, “Everyone jokes about me having a Ravens’ kidney. But, hey, I can live with that.”

Chris And Ma’ake Kemoeatu: ‘A Brother’s Journey’

To prepare for the surgery, both Ma’ake and Chris had to lose weight – they both weighed in at over 350 pounds before starting the process – and, during their weight-loss period, Chris had to undergo dialysis. Before the liver transplant, Chris also learned that he had coronary disease that required bypass surgery. Six weeks after the heart surgery, the liver transplant was performed, and both brothers are recovering well.

“I think it definitely brought us closer. It took us to places we never imagined. We never thought it would come to this. We always think we’re healthy, and we never get sick. It definitely changed the way I look at things with my brother as far as sharing,” Chris said at the press conference.

While Chris will not be returning to the field, Ma’ake is reportedly open to the idea of reclaiming a spot in the NFL, though he has no set plans. For now Chris and Ma’ake are planning on returning to their home in Hawaii and focusing on building a “normal life.”

Cameras have been recording Chris and Ma’ake throughout the ordeal for a planned documentary, currently titled A Brother’s Journey.

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.