Vikings' defensive end Kenechi Udeze retires

Kenechi Udeze, the Vikings defensive end who missed last season because of leukemia, has retired.

Coach Brad Childress said today that Udeze, the team's first-round draft choice out (20th overall) in 2004 out of USC, has ended his comeback attempt.

Efforts to reach Udeze were unsuccessful.

Udeze tied for the team lead in sacks in 2007, but got sick following the season and was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Feb., 2008. He had a bone marrow transplant last July and felt well enough to participate in this springs mini-camps and organized team activities.

But after the practices, Udeze apparently decided he needed to devote his time to fighting his illness.

After a June workout, he told the Star Tribune: "I'd be lying if I said it was easy There was never an easy point. The first time I went back to USC and started working out with the fellas, I fell. I took two steps and I fell. I took small steps at first and, to where I am now, I can't complain."

At the time, Udeze said he had recently had a biopsy. Childress also said at the time he thought Udeze, who was a little heavy, would be 100 percent by the time the team reported to Mankato.

Udeze also expected to graduate in mid-May from USC with a degree in sociology.

ALL is a fast-growing cancer of the white blood cells. The donor for Udeze's bone-marrow transplant was his brother, Thomas Barnes. Udeze has made public speaking appearances this year in support of cancer research.

Udeze and his wife, Terrica, have a young daughter, Bailey. He sat out last season while on the reserve/nonfootball injury and was paid his base salary of $807,500. He was the winner of the team's Ed Block Courage Award.