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Best NFL Players Who Are of Samoan Descent

By: Author Andrew Herig

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Best NFL Players Who Are of Samoan Descent

Best NFL Players Who Are of Samoan Descent

The American Samoa is an unincorporated territory island of the United States that is located in the Pacific Ocean. With a total land area of just 76.8 square miles, the American Samoa is just slightly larger than that of Washington D.C.

But with a population of just over 180,000 individuals living stateside and 55,000 living in the American Samoa, the American Samoa has become a hot spring of football and NFL talent. Per capita, the American Samoa are the most overrepresented group in the league, with over 50 players of Samoan descent having been on an NFL roster.

Below, we are going to look at the best NFL players who are of Samoan descent. In addition, we are going to take a look at why the American Samoa are so overrepresented in the NFL and how this representation bodes well for the future of the league.

Why Are American Samoans Overrepresented in the NFL?

In the United States, American football is currently in a crisis. With rising concerns regarding concussions, head injuries, CTE, and leg injuries, there has been a steep decline in the percent of youth athletes playing the sport.

However, in American Samoa, which lags behind most groups in terms of health, income, and education, football is oftentimes seen as a pathway to a college education and NFL riches.

In addition, for American Samoans, their genetic predisposition may place them at an advantage for the needs of American football. Samoans tend to be heftier, with the obesity rate in Samoa being some of the highest in the world.

This size, however, makes them a natural fit in a sport where size matters. This added size may simply be due to genetics or it may be due to taro, a starchy root that’s a staple in Polynesian diets. Oftentimes dubbed the ‘Samoan steroids’, taro is widely consumed in Samoan diets and is a staple in many Samoan foods.

And lastly, Samoans may simply be overrepresented in the NFL due to “fa’a Samoa” or “in the way of Samoa”. Fa’a Samoa simply revolves around a mutual obligations and respect for elders, including preachers, teachers, parents, and coaches. Inculcating youth with a sense of discipline and responsibility, ‘in the way of the Samoa’ prioritizes the collective over the individual. For these reasons, success on the playing field is seen as a reflection of family, village and island.

Best Samoans in the NFL

Whether due to genetics, dietary lifestyles, or fa’a Samoa, there have been plenty of Samoans who have made it to the highest levels of football and have represented their island in the NFL. Below, we are going to review some of the best NFL players who are of Samoan descent.

  • Jesse Sapolu – Jesse Sapolu is a Samoan former NFL player who played both the center and offensive guard positions for the San Francisco 49ers. Standing in at 6’4″ and weighing 278 pounds, Sapolu was selected by the 49ers in the 11th round of the 1983 NFL Draft. In his career, Sapolu would win four Super Bowl championship rings and would earn Pro Bowl honors in 1993 and 1994.
  • Junior Seau – a former NFL player, Junior Seau and his family moved back to American Samoa shortly after he was born. Playing the linebacker position, he was a passionate player and was a nine-time All-Pro, 12-time Pro Bowl selection, and named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. In addition, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015. This election was given posthumously as Seau would take his own life due to the effects of CTE.
  • Troy Polamalu – Troy Polamalu is of Samoan descent and played his entire 12-year career for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Having played college football at the University of Southern California, he would earn first-team All-American honors. Selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft, he was a member of two Steelers’ Super Bowl championship teams and was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2010. Polamalu was also an eight-time Pro Bowler and a six-time All-Pro selection.
  • Manti Te’o – Manti Te’o was born in Laie, Hawaii and is of Samoan descent. Having played college football at Notre Dame, he was a consensus All-American and received eight national awards. Te’o would be drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
  • Mosi Tatupu – Mosi Tatupu is a former NFL player who played on the special teams and as a running back. Having played in the NFL for fourteen years, Mosi Tatupu played for both the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams. He would be selected to the NFL Pro Bowl in 1986.
  • Marcus Mariota – Marcus Mariota is of Samoan descent and is the current quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. Drafted second overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2015 NFL Draft, Mariota played college football for the University of Oregon, where he was the starting quarterback from 2012 to 2014 and won the Heisman Trophy in 2014.
  • Tua Tagovailoa – Tua Tagovailoa is the quarterback for the Miami Dolphins and was selected fifth overall by the Dolphins in the 2020 NFL Draft. A native Samoan, he played college football at the University of Alabama and was the Offensive MVP of the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship. In addition, he received the Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards as a sophomore.