At home, Bloomington Jefferson's standout quarterback, Moses Alipate, has a strong supporting cast.
He is tall, dark and handsome, a citizen of three countries, gifted athletically and blessed with a hearty work ethic to boot. Indeed, a world of possibilities exists for Bloomington Jefferson senior quarterback Moses Alipate, who needs only to flip through the pages of family photo albums for tangible proof.
His maternal great-grandfather, Robert Ryan, was 1930s-60s Hollywood royalty. His paternal great-aunt, Queen Halaevalu Mata'aho, is Tongan royalty. His dad, Tuineau Alipate, is a former Vikings linebacker, which makes him Minnesota royalty, does it not?
There's more.
Alipate's mother, Lisa, is a former nationally trained gymnast whose Olympic hopes were dashed by the U.S. boycott in 1980. His uncle, Jeff Langston, is the bass player for the acclaimed rock band Antony and the Johnsons. His mom's cousin, Jed Hansen, played three seasons with the Kansas City Royals. His dad's cousin, Esera Tuaolo, played 10 seasons in the NFL.
At 18, Alipate (6-5, 235) already has enjoyed his own accolades. He will join the Gophers football program next season after being recruited on the national level. A standout basketball player as well, he said he has had preliminary talks with Tubby Smith about playing basketball for the Gophers if his commitment to football allows it.
Perhaps a friend of Tuineau and Lisa's back in their college days at Washington State was onto something when she said, longingly (and jokingly), "Can I have your first-born child?"
The family bond
When it is mentioned to him that success runs in his extended family, Alipate said he looks at things in slightly different terms: how his family is the key to his success. With his parents providing encouragement and guidance, and his five younger siblings offering friendship and unconditional love, is it any wonder he chose to stay close to home to pursue his dream of playing college football?
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