Udeze has leukemia

[Vikings4ever]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/15534342.html

Kenechi Udeze, a starting defensive end for the Vikings, has been diagnosed with a form of leukemia, local television stations reported Monday night.

The Vikings did not specifically address Udeze's condition earlier today, but coach Brad Childress released a statement through team spokesman Bob Hagan. The statement read: "With reports surfacing about Kenechi Udeze's condition, we respect the privacy of Kenechi. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Minnesota Vikings organization are with Kenechi and his family."

[The Dynasty]

Yeah Terrible news. I hope he is alright. Prays are with him.

[wogitalia]

Terrible news. He showed a bit last year. Needs to focus on getting well now.

[litlharsh]

I read this on another board and was floored...this is terrible.

[swagger]

I said elsewhere that he seems like one of the genuinely nicest guys on the team. Just terrible news...

[Crazy_Chris]

Yea I was shocked when I saw this on the ESPN bottom line. This is horrible news I hope he pulls through.

[SMoore]

that is very sad news kenechi seems like a very good guy

[The Dynasty]

Great news for Kenechi Udeze
April 18th, 2008 – 6:48 PM by Kevin Seifert
Vikings DE Kenechi Udeze announced today he is in remission from acute leukemia and also said his older brother is a perfect match for a bone marrow transplant, outstanding news for a player who has been suffering from the disease since the beginning of February.

Speaking today at a Winter Park fundraiser for the National Marrow Donor Program (www.marrow.org), Udeze looked fit and healthy. In fact, he said: “I haven’t had a bad day” since being diagnosed. He predicted he will one day return to football but said: “My health is my number one priority at this point.”

He spent 24 days at Fairview Southdale Hospital — and then another five when he overexerted during a workout and ran a 105.4 fever, he said. Now, Udeze is back with his wife and 4 1/2-month-old daughter in their Twin Cities home.

Doctors informed Udeze on Wednesday that he is officially in remisison but he will continue chemotherapy and radiation treatment at the University of Minnesota. The bone marrow transplant procedure hasn’t been scheduled yet but will be soon.

We’ll bring you a lot more on Udeze’s story later tonight on the web site and in tomorrow’s print edition. For now, we wanted to pass along this great news.

http://ww3.startribune.com/vikingsblog/?p=1517

Great news.

[Vikings4ever]

http://ww3.startribune.com/vikingsblog/?p=1517

Great news.

Good to hear. Now let's hope he can get back to 100% and get back on the field in 2009.

[Crazy_Chris]

Wow tremendous news.

[YAYareaRB]

Glad to hear he's gonna be okay.

[Crazy_Chris]

Udeze offically out for 2008, Zygi still pldedges to pay his salary though.

The Vikings placed DE Kenechi Udeze on the non-football injury list today, officially ruling him out for the season so that he can focus on recovering from an acute form of leukemia.

Under NFL rules, the Vikings are not responsible for paying his 2008 salary because his “injury” is not football-related. But coach Brad Childress said today that the team will continue to pay Udeze, who is scheduled to earn $807,500 this year.

“What he can do is focus on getting well,” Childress said. “He’s done a great job with that so far. He’s been positive. He’s been upbeat. What this does is obviously clear his mind of any financial issues, and the organizaton, particularly [owner Zygi Wilf and his family], have taken care of that.”

http://ww3.startribune.com/vikingsblog/?p=1572

Nice move Zygi I hope Udeze recovers well and comes back strong in 09.