Kwenkeu was born in Cameroon in 1997, the son of high-ranking army officer Francois Kwenkeu and Martine Etammane, who named him after Bill Clinton.[1] Kwenkeu attended a Catholic boarding school in Douala until 2012, when Etammane, who had moved to the United States two years earlier and worked as a hair stylist and nursing assistant, earned enough money to bring her son over. While attending McDonough High School, Kwenkeu tried out for the football team as a sophomore, and excelled despite initially not knowing the game's rules. He transferred to St. Charles High School in 2014,[2] where he played running back, linebacker, placekicker, punter, and returner. In 2016, Kwenkeu became the first athlete from St. Charles to play in the NCAA when he accepted a football scholarship from Temple University.[3]
College career
Kwenkeu spent six seasons playing linebacker for the Temple Owls due to redshirting one year and the extra year of eligibility the NCAA accorded to student-athletes whose careers were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] He recorded his first two sacks as a college player during the 2017 Gasparilla Bowl, which helped the Owls to a 28–3 victory.[4] Kwenkeu became a regular starter in 2020, and had a breakout season in 2021.[1] He scored his first college touchdown that year on a fumble return against the Akron Zips in a game where he also had two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss, a performance that resulted in him winning an American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week award.[5][6] In his final year, Kwenkeu totaled 51 tackles, three sacks, and one fumble each forced and recovered. In his college career in total, he played in 47 games,[7] during which he recorded 183 tackles and seven sacks.[8]
The Minnesota Vikings signed Kwenkeu on May 16, 2022, after he participated in the team's rookie minicamp.[5][7] He became the only African-born player on the Minnesota roster, among several other players with African heritage.[10] Kwenkeu was waived by the Vikings at the end of August 2022 as they cut down their roster to 53 players,[11] but was signed to Minnesota's practice squad soon after.[12] He was elevated to the active roster for Minnesota's Thursday Night Football game against the New England Patriots, making him the ninth Cameroonian to play in the NFL.[1] Kwenkeu was also placed on the active roster for the Week 13 game against the New York Jets,[13] and was signed to the active roster on December 14.[14] Kwenkeu played his first snap on defense (rather than special teams) during Minnesota's loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 17.[1]
On August 13, 2023, he was waived with an injury designation.[15] After clearing waivers, he reverted to the injured reserve list.[16] He was released on March 12, 2024.[17]
Baltimore Ravens
On October 1, 2024, the Baltimore Ravens signed Kwenkeu to the practice squad.[18]
Personal life
Kwenkeu spoke very little English when he first arrived in the United States at age 14 and has credited football with helping him learn the language.[2][10] He became an American citizen in 2017.[4]
^Robinson, Sam (August 30, 2022). "Vikings Move Down To 53". Pro Football Rumors. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
