Minnesota Vikings place DE Kenechi Udeze on reserve list
 |
Bill Jempty | Sunday, May 4, 2008 |
In case you don’t remember, Udeze was recently diagnosed with leukemia. From AP-
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings want Kenechi Udeze to focus on his fight against leukemia and not worry about his financial situation.
The defensive end was placed on the reserve-non-football-illness list Friday, coach Brad Childress announced. That makes him ineligible to participate in the 2008 season, but guarantees him his $807,500 salary for the year. Udeze revealed two weeks ago that the cancer was in remission, and that his older brother has matching bone marrow for a pending transplant.
“He can focus on getting well. He’s done a great job with that so far. He’s been positive. He’s been upbeat,” said Childress, who praised owner Zygi Wilf for the decision.
Since the cause of Udeze’s illness is not football related, the Vikings were under no obilgation to pay his salary for 2008.
Udeze signed a five-year contract as a first-round draft pick out of Southern California in 2004 and will be a free agent next March. Once the season is over, Childress said the Vikings will revisit Udeze’s status.
A very nice humanitarian gesture by the Vikings ownership and management. As a fellow cancer survivor, I wish Udeze good luck in his battle against leukemia. My half sister Patty is also a leukemia survivor.
- Minnesota Vikings DE Kenechi Udeze has leukemia
- Denver Nuggets Coach George Karl has cancer
- Arizona pitcher Doug Davis has cancer
- Bruins Rookie Phil Kessel has Cancer-Related Surgery
- Vikings Trade Culpepper to Dolphins
- Vikings Fire Personnel Director Over Resume Lies
- Boston College LB Mark Herzlich diagnosed with cancer
- Denver Nuggets’ Nene has testicular cancer
- Seahawks Might Lose Hutchinson UPDATED
- Former AFL and NFL Quarterback Jack Kemp dead at 73
- Eight is Enough- Edmonton beats Chicago 8-4
- Lydia Ko wins New South Wales Open
- The Comeback I- Pittsburgh Penguins beat NY Islanders 5-0
- Seattle Mariners Outfielder Greg Halman stabbed to death at age 24
- Hee Young Park wins CME Titleholders Championship
- Oklahoma State Women’s Basketball Coach Kurt Budke dead at 50
- Costly mistake- Blackhawks waive Rostislav Olesz
- Manager Tony La Russa announces retirement
- Puck Drop- Florida Panthers start the 2011-12 NHL season
- 13-time PGA Tour winner Dave Hill dead at 74
Comments are Closed
