Chris Kemoeatu
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| No. 68 Pittsburgh Steelers | |
| Offensive guard | |
| Personal information | |
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| Date of birth: January 4, 1983 | |
| Place of birth: Tonga | |
| Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | Weight: 344 lb (156 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College: Utah | |
| NFL Draft: 2005 / Round: 6 / Pick: 204 | |
| Debuted in 2006 for the Pittsburgh Steelers | |
| Career history | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2011 | |
| Games played | 75 |
| Games started | 53 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
Uikelotu Christopher "Chris" Kemoeatu (pronounced [kemo.e.ˈatu]; born January 4, 1983) is a Tongan professional American football player who is currently a guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Utah Utes, and was drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He is the younger brother of Ma'ake Kemoeatu who is currently a Free agent. Along with his brother and Deuce Lutui of the Arizona Cardinals, he is one of several Tongans currently playing in the NFL.
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[edit] Early life
Kemoeatu was born in the Pacific island nation of Tonga. He is the younger brother of Ma'ake Kemoeatu, who also played football for the University of Utah and later enter the NFL. When Kemoeatu was three years old, the family moved to the U.S. state of Hawaii.[1]
Kemoeatu grew up in Kahuku, Hawaii, near Honolulu. He attended Kahuku High School, where he played for the school's football team. He helped lead the school to their first state championship, and was named the 2000 Hawaii High School Defensive Player of the Year. Also selected first team all state and all league (OIA) as a defensive lineman. As a junior was selected honorable mention all state defensive lineman. Kemoeatu played on both sides of the ball in high school before playing offensive line at Utah.
[edit] College career
Kemoeatu enrolled at the University of Utah, where he played for the Utah Utes football team. Originally recruited as a defensive lineman, he was moved to offensive guard by coach Ron McBride. In 2004, his senior year, Kemoeatu was named All-American. He majored in Sociology.
[edit] Professional career
Kemoeatu was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round (204th overall) in the 2005 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he was inactive for 15 games and did not get any playing time. The following year he made his first two starts of his career. He played 16 games throughout the 2007 season. He began the 2008 Steelers training camp on the physically unable to perform list, but began practicing in the second week.[2] Kemoeatu replaced seven time Pro Bowler Alan Faneca on the Steelers' offensive line.[3]
After the Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII, they re-signed Kemoeatu to a five-year contract.[4]
[edit] Personal
Kemoeatu is the son of Manako Melino and Ahea Kolovetekina Kemoeatu, and has six siblings. His elder brothers Ma'ake and Tevita also attended Utah, playing defensive line. His younger brother, Benji, played guard for the West Virginia University Mountaineers.[5] Ma'aka Kemoeatu currently plays for the Washington Redskins.
[edit] References
- ^ "Tongan pair join Big Ben centre stage". The Australian. Agence France-Presse. February 2, 2009. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/tongan-pair-join-big-ben-centre-stage/story-e6frg7mo-1111118726604. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
- ^ Brown, Scott (2008-08-04). "Polamalu waits for OK to practice". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_580936.html. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
- ^ Dulac, Gerry (2008-09-05). "Steelers left guard Kemoeatu plays with nasty edge as Faneca's heir". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08249/909627-66.stm. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
- ^ Steelers Retain Essex Yahoo Sports, March 17, 2009
- ^ Harris, John (October 19, 2008). "Kemoeatu's work ethic rooted in family". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleyindependent/teenscene/s_594054.html.
[edit] External links
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