These are the known Polynesians who are participating in the Super Bowl 2010 this Sunday.  We at SamoaSportsCentral.com wish each player a safe and secure game and send our alofa’s to your effort! Congratulations once again on a long and hard fought season! - Aaron Francisco-Indianapolis Colts-Defensive Back-Hawaiian - Freddy Keiaho-Indianapolis Colts-Middle Linebacker-Fijian - Fili Moala-Indianapolis Colts-Defensive Lineman-Tongan - Marcus Mailei-New Orleans Saints-Offensive Fullback-Tongan Thanks to Paul Scanlan & Jr Penelua for providing insight into the players! PLEASE LEAVE A...
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Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Domata Peko, of Lauli’i, is making a trip to American Samoa this weekend. He is due to arrive in Tutuila Sunday night and will be on-island for one week. During his trip home, the newly formed Domata Peko Foundation plans to make a contribution to help victims of the Sept. 29, 2009 tsunami and earthquake, says his sister Michelle Peko. He is to meet with Gov. Togiola Tulafono on Monday where his foundation will present the donation to the government. Domata, who was featured on 60 Minutes’ Football Island last month, is the son of Siitupe and Sua Peko...
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by Nick Zaino Now that the NFL has moved the Pro Bowl to the week before the big game, the Super Bowl will be the last TV event on the football schedule for the year. During Sunday’s game, truTV will hype a new show, called ‘NFL Full Contact,’ with an ad starring Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, or, as he is known in the ad, Punxsutawney Polamalu. In the ad, a mini version of Polamalu (by the magic of green screen, played by Polamalu and wrestler Steve Richardson, a.k.a. Puppet the Psycho Dwarf) gets pulled out of a tree stump and sees his shadow. Thus, six more...
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MIAMI — When Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Fili Moala wraps his arms around opponents to make a tackle, the word tattoos on his forearms spell out his heritage and pride – “Tonga style”. “That’s my swagger,” the 24-year-old National Football League rookie said Tuesday as the Colts and New Orleans Saints met with reporters ahead of Sunday’s championship showdown in Super Bowl 44. Moala’s father and grandfather spent a month on a boat to emigrate from Tonga to the United States and US-born Moala still has relatives in the Pacific islands...
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After being arrested early Friday on charges of drunken driving and careless driving, Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga apologized for his actions on his Twitter account Monday morning. Maualuga sent three consecutive Tweets expressing his remorse for the incident: Sorry for bringing humiliation n embarrassment to this Organization n to dis great city of Cincinnati. To Bengals nation n my fans, sorry for letting you guys down n for doing wat I did. I hope dat u guys continue to support me n all I do! I know its gonna be hard to believe me but I will do everything in my power to gain...
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CHICAGO — Despite Pisa Tinoisamoa starting just two games last year because of injuries, the Chicago Bearsextended an offer to the veteran linebacker near the end of the regular season, according to an NFL source. That gesture clearly indicates the Bears’ desire to see Tinoisamoa return, but it might be a little premature to assume Tinoisamoa will bypass the opportunity to test free agency. NFL free agency begins March 5, but the Bears can negotiate right now with any of their unrestricted free agents such as Tinoisamoa or defensive end Adewale Ogunleye. There is no question...
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MIAMI — Troy Polamalu was one of four safeties and the only Steelers player named to the All-Decade team released Sunday by the NFL. Two former Steelers, guard Alan Faneca and outside linebacker Joey Porter, are also on the 53-man squad that was selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame voters. Polamalu had made five consecutive Pro Bowls prior to this season. Knee injuries limited him to five games in 2009 though Polamalu still tied for the most interceptions (3) on the Steelers. Polamalu was a two-time first-team All-Pro pick last decade. Both of those selections came in seasons (2005...
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According to TMZ Sports, star USC linebacker Rey Maualuga was busted last night (Jan. 29) for driving under the influence in Kentucky around 1:44 AM. Charged with careless driving, apparently Maualuga hit a parking meter and a couple parked cars while driving a Pontiac. Maualuga was reported to have been drinking several alcoholic beverages and “slurred” his speech when confronted by police officers. His breathalyzer test was nearly twice the legal limit, yet he pled not guilty when arraigned. In other reports, two females, one underage female, were in the car during the...
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John Offerdahl had never met Ron Wolfley before they bumped into each other at the Pro Bowl in 1987. Offerdahl, a former walk-on at Western Michigan, had made the NFL’s all-star game as a rookie linebacker for the Dolphins. He was thrilled to find himself on the same field with the best in his sport, including his idols, Chicago’s Richard Dent and Mike Singletary. Emotion welled up inside Offerdahl, who was eager to prove he belonged. So on a kickoff to the NFC, he raced downfield and introduced himself, hard, to Wolfley, the kick returner from the Phoenix Cardinals. The collision...
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The World team didn’t get the victory in Saturday’s under-20 all-star game, but it had guidance from somebody I bet Team USA wished was on its side: Bengals DE Jonathan Fanene, who was on hand to support his younger brother, DE Aiulua Samanu Fanene, representing American Samoa. Though Jonathan Fanene wasn’t an official coach for the game, it must have been a real treat for the World players to have him roaming their sideline and offering hands-on tips. Fanene hollered at the players to block a field-goal try and engaged in a quick lesson with DL David Lee from...
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