Ex-Ravens player donates kidney to brother, ex-Steelers player

The folks over at For The Win have the story of former NFL players Ma'ake and Chris Kemoeatu. Ma'ake retired from the NFL to donate a kidney to Chris.

That in itself is pretty selfless, but it's perhaps even more impressive when you consider that during their playing days, Chris and Ma'ake were on opposite sides of one of the NFL's fiercest rivalries. Chris played offensive line for the Steelers and Ma'ake was a nose tackle for the Ravens. 

Kidney issues forced Chris to retire in 2011, after six years in the NFL. Ma'ake left the game after the winning the Super Bowl with the Ravens in 2012 "to be with his brother," FTW says. 

Ma'ake ultimately made the decision to donate one of his kidneys to Chris. The brothers needed to wait more than a year before the operation, because they both needed to lose weight. Chris also needed heart surgery in June.

But the transplant on Aug. 27 was successful and both brothers are currently recovering. Good, we need some happy NFL news these days. 

- Dan Gartland