Vikings' Kenechi Udeze retires from the NFL...

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Kenechi Udeze retired Thursday a year and a half after being diagnosed with leukemia and taking a leave of absence for the entire 2008 season to under go chemotherapy treatment. After the leukemia went into remission Udeze attempted a comeback this offseason rehabilitating at his Alma mater USC and even participating in organized team activities in May but the side effects of the chemotherapy treatment were too much to overcome and he cut short his inspirational return to the team. The Vikings selected Udeze with the their first round pick in 2004 and during his career he played in 51 games recording 117 total tackles and 11 sacks. While working out at USC he took classes and will probably return to the Vikings in some capacity in the future.