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MALIETOA BESTOWS TITLE ON JESSE MANASE SAPOLU
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By Lave Tuiletufuga |
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Another historical moment
for Jesse Manase Sapolu, the first Samoan born or Samoan for that
matter to win four Super Bowl Rings from the National Football League.
He is now High Chief Seiuli, an honor bestowed personally by his
Highness the Head of State, Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili while in Samoa
with a film crew from the ESPN Network. ESPN is one of the leading
televisions sports network in the United States and is filming a
special profile of Samoa as a breeding ground for the NFL.
Winning a super-bowl is like winning the World Rugby Cup. To play in
the NFL is the dream of almost every American kid. To win a Super Bowl
is more than a bonus but the highest of achievements because you are a
World Champion. Seiuli has done that three four times with the San
Francisco 49ers. A remarkable feat for an athlete who was told when he
was a youngster that he could not play any contact sport because he had
heart problems.
Two other Samoan athletes born in Hawaii and American Samoa are
traveling with Seiuli. They are Pisa Tinoisamoa now in his second year
with the St Loius Rams and American Samoa’s Isaac Sopoaga starting this
year with Seiuli’s former team the San Francisco 49ers.
The visit to the two Samoas has done a lot of good for Pisa Tinoisamoa,
whose doubters had vastly outnumbered the believers four years ago. But
those who stood by his side have been rewarded with his gratitude when
linebacker was picked by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the
NFL Draft two years ago.
Tinoisamoa was among the most talented football players ever produced by the San Diego area. But
his future seemed shaky when he spent much of his senior year of high school
incarcerated for beating another youth. University of Hawaii coach June Jones
took a chance, extending a scholarship offer to Tinoisamoa when everyone else
backed off. Tinoisamoa responded with an outstanding three year Warriors career
capped by a team MVP season and no off-field problems once he buckled down in
school.
"Four years ago I was down in the dumps. I'm grateful to the University
of Hawaii for the opportunity to show my ability. And I thank my
family. They've
always supported me," Tinoisamoa said. "I hope I can continue to achieve
with the Rams. |
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Jesse Sapolu is bestowed the high chief title Seiuli by his
Highness Malietoa Tanumafili, Samoa Head of State. |
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St. Louis Rams’ Pisa Tinoisamoa and 49ers’ Issac Sopoaga are
blessed by the Head of State during their visit to Apia. |
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Isaac Sopoaga visiting Samoa College as part of the ESPN TV
program with Seiuli Jessie Manase Sapolu and Pisa Tinoisamoa. |
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Everything happens for a reason." Since picked by the Rams, Tinoisamoa
now hailed by St. Loius as Hawaii 5-0 has never failed to deliver.
Talking about the ESPN documentary, Tinoisamoa can’t only appreciate what he is
learning about his Samoan heritage and culture. “I thought I was alone,” says
Tinoisamoa after an ava reception by Samoa College. “I realize now that this
will never be the case. Looking at these kids, accepting me because I’m Samoan
has really touched me.”
He says that even though he’s famous in the National Football League, the
hospitality by Samoa is just “absolutely awesome.” As for meeting Samoa’s Head
of State, Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II and receiving his blessings, he says
that not many athletes are afforded the chance to be blessed by his Highness”.
“It’s unbelievable,” says Isaac Sopoaga. “I’m really touched by the attention.
“This will go a long way for me,” says the Samoana High School graduate. “It has
made me realize that I have an entire nation playing with me in heart and soul
and no army in the world can match that kind of strength.”
Growing up in American Samoa Sopoaga was active in the two main sports of the
Island – Rugby and Volleyball – and he didn’t play football until his senior
year with the Samoan High School when the craze for football was in full swing.
“Right now football is really huge and big,” he said. “Our people call football
the key to being Samoan, not just to play football but also to go on to college
as well.”
Sopoaga was in part inspired by one of the all-time great 49er players: Jessie
Sapolu. Like Sopoaga, Sapolu attended the University of Hawaii. “Jesse and my
dad go way back,” Sopoaga said. “He has given me some good advice. Jesse has
told me to just go forward and don’t look back; think positive about everything
that I do. He has also been helping me out with my training and my workouts as
far as what to eat and what to do.”
Following that advice could make for a lengthy career, especially now that
Sopoaga is a 49er. And it was Jesse that pulled the strings to see Sopoaga land
in San Francisco. Sapolu played 16 years in a 49er uniform and has the Super
Bowl rings to show for it. And Sapolu suggests Sopoaga has a chance to become
something special.
“If you look at the last two picks that the 49ers have picked that are from the
University of Hawaii which are myself and the great linebacker that we have
there now, Jeff Ulbrich, I think Isaac has the potential to be the best of the
three," said Sapolu. And so far listening to the advice has paid off for Sopoaga
who has dropped from the 337 pounds he weight after the Rainbow Warrior season,
to around 317 pounds at the moment. That has been due to a rigorous training
program at the Athletes Performance Center in Tempe, AZ.
“That place is just awesome; it is perfect for someone that wants to get
better,” Sopoaga says of Athletes Performance. “It is the best place to do all
you’re running and workout things. They will help you to lose weight if that is
what you want to do.” And it is no small coincidence that another of his idols
visits that same training center for some off-season work. That player is none
other than Young, the 49ers unquestioned team leader and pace setter. Sopoaga
met Young on his pre-draft visit to the 49ers and, like everyone who meets him,
was impressed. “When I met Bryant Young the time I came on the visit, he was
bigger than what I was expecting and very quick,” Sopoaga said.
Pisa and Isaac returned to American Samoa to help with the Joe Salavea
Foundation clinics. “I’m looking forward to the clinics,” he says. “Giving back
something to the kids is something very special for me.” And rightfully so, from
a player who has travelled the road less travelled to the NFL to be where he is
today, on top of his game and on top of his life.
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
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