Chris Kemoeatu
Chris Kemoeatu is a former professional football player. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL draft. He played with the Steelers through 2011, and is a two-time Super Bowl champion (XL, XLIII). He was released on March 3, 2012.
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, signed to play guard for the West Virginia University Mountaineers but didn't attend. He died in 2015.
Chris had suffered from kidney pain since he was a teenager and later found out he had a form of kidney disease.On August 27, 2014, Chris received a kidney transplant from his brother, Ma'ake.
Kemoeatu was born on January 4, 1983, in Kahuku, Hawaii, and played for Kahuku High School. He was named 2000 Hawaii High School Defensive Player of the Year and was selected first-team all state and all league as a defensive lineman. On the college level, he played for the University of Utah football team. As a senior, he was named All-American.
Chris Kemoeatu was inducted into the 2025 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.[1]
