Background
Kemoeatu was born in the Pacific island nation of Tonga. Kemoeatu grew up in Kahuku, Hawaii, in northern O"ahu.
Kemoeatu was born in the Pacific island nation of Tonga. Kemoeatu grew up in Kahuku, Hawaii, in northern O"ahu.
He attended Kahuku High School, where he played for the school"s football team
He played college football for the University of Utah Utes, and was drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He is the younger brother of former NFL nose tackle Ma"ake Kemoeatu. He is the younger brother of Ma"ake Kemoeatu, who also played football for the University of Utah and later entered the NFL. When Kemoeatu was three years old, the family moved to Hawaii.
Also selected first team all state and all league (OIA) as a defensive lineman.
As a junior was selected honorable mention all state defensive lineman. Kemoeatu played on both sides of the ball in high school before playing offensive line at Utah.
Kemoeatu enrolled at the University of Utah, where he played for the Utah Utes football team Originally recruited as a defensive lineman, he was moved to offensive guard by coach Ron McBride.
In 2004, his senior year, Kemoeatu was named All-American.
He majored in Sociology. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kemoeatu was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round (204th overall) in the 2005 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he was inactive for 15 games and did not get any playing time.
The following year he made his first two starts of his career.
He played 16 games throughout the 2007 season. He began the 2008 Steelers training camp on the physically unable to perform list, but began practicing in the second week.
Kemoeatu replaced seven time Pro Bowler Alan Faneca on the Steelers" offensive line. He was released on March 3, 2012.
Kemoeatu is the son of Manako Melino and Ahea Kolovetekina Kemoeatu, and has six siblings.