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Sports Illustrated

September 3, 2020

Sports Illustrated

by Admin

Ht. One player who's getting us excited for the future of Polynesian players is Heisman Trophy candidate and Hawaii-native, Marcus Mariota, who is the quarterback for the #2 Oregon Ducks. Mosiula Mea'alofa "Lofa" Tatupu (born November 15, 1982) is a former American football linebacker who played six seasons in the National Football League (NFL). This, however, is not confined to just the Samoan populations. Other findings show that the Samoan obesity epidemic starts at birth. Pacific Islanders are just born big-boned and have frames perfect for any NFL position, especially for linemen down in the trenches. However, with more attention and investment in recent years, it's time for the pure talent to be cultivated, which means two things for the people: an education in America and the chance to break into the NFL to support their families. Samoa -- or "Football Island" as it's often referred to -- is one of a handful of Polynesian islands that produces dozens of professional football players every year. But it's not just the sheer amount of players, both retired and currently active in the NFL, that impresses coaches, fans and teammates alike (there are close to 40 active players of Samoan descent today). It's how they channel all of that strength and energy into the game, but can be such gentle and loving people off it. To put it simply, they play the game the way it's supposed to be played: with supreme toughness. I traveled to American Samoa 5 times to study the secret to its … Player Team Pos. But to really sum it all up, Ravens All-Pro defensive tackle Haloti Ngata's father, Haloti Moala (who's of Tongan ancestry), said it the best during an interview leading up to Super Bowl XLVII with USA Today. LB Poly Linebackers: #UTR Spotlight - vs St. Bonaventure - CIFSS Playoffs 2013. And because of the economic plight on the island of Samoa, much of the field and equipment used by athletes would never pass standards in the states. For one of the most intriguing, yet seemingly untapped communities in the world, football is exactly what they needed. In recent years quarterbacks Tua Tagaviloa and Marcus Mariota as well wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kendrick are making themselves known on the NFL stage. While Samoans and Tongans make up a majority of Polynesian players in the NFL, they're mostly identifiable with long-flowing manes and traditional Maori tattoos that are something like battle stripes. During his training for the season, Polamalu refuses to touch any heavy weights and relies mostly on training in the sports lab where he uses special stretches to improve range of movement and swimming to build his stamina. And if you wonder where he gets this unorthodox approach to the game, he reiterates the same message of values that are ingrained within him and his people. Wt. And the truth is, football needs them too. Samoan football players in the NFL. Consider this: Youth football wasn't even initiated in Samoa until 2011. The pipeline of Polynesian players will only continue to improve in the coming years, both in quantity and quality. But considering that all Polynesians migrated to islands and were known as extraordinary travelers, this could be where the answer lies. He was an assistant linebackers coach with the Seattle Seahawks.He played college football for the University of Southern California (USC). The most common trait shared between all Polynesian football players is their physical style of play and ability to react with instincts, instead of relying on brute strength or top-line speed. As the number of Polynesian players continues to increase over the next few years, more awareness will be raised about their communities and the light that they deserve will finally be shined on them. To be a great player in this game, and an even better man away from it, takes a certain strength that you'll consistently find within this special group of people. It's a cultural mindset that's been passed down from generation to generation, with values that teaches respect, love and passion for everything they do. Rey T. 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