Ma'ake Tu'amelie Kemoeatu (; born January 10, 1979) is a Tongan-American former professional American football player who played as a nose tackle. 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 former NFL offensive lineman Chris Kemoeatu.
Early life 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, on the north shore of Oahu, and attended Kahuku High School.
College career 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.
Professional career
Baltimore Ravens (first stint) 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 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. Kemoeatu was released by the Panthers on March 5, 2010.
Washington Redskins On March 13, 2010, Kemoeatu signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the Washington Redskins. He was released by the Redskins on July 28, 2011.
Baltimore Ravens (second stint) On May 2, 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, one sack, and one forced fumble. Kemoeatu also would go on to win his first championship title when the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII before retiring from football.
NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high
Regular season Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD 2002 BAL 16 1 21 16 5 2.0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2003 BAL 15 1 23 21 2 1.0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2004 BAL 14 3 28 20 8 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2005 BAL 16 16 40 30 10 1.0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2006 CAR 16 13 34 26 8 0.0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2007 CAR 16 13 47 41 6 0.0 5 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 2008 CAR 14 14 36 31 5 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 2009 CAR 0 0 Did not play due to injury 2010 WAS 14 12 29 19 10 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2012 BAL 15 13 29 15 14 1.0 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 Career 136 86 287 219 68 5.0 20 0 0 0 0 9 2 1 0 0
Playoffs Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD 2003 BAL 1 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2008 CAR 1 1 5 5 0 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2012 BAL 4 4 10 5 5 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Career 6 5 15 10 5 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Personal life He is the older brother of Chris Kemoeatu, who won Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On August 27, 2014, Ma'ake donated a kidney to his brother, Chris.
Honours National honours Order of Queen Sālote Tupou III, Member (31 July 2008).
References
External links Ma'ake Kemoeatu Utah Utes bio