Former BYU fullback Manase Tonga has chance to turn his NFL dream into reality

By Dick Harmon

Deseret News

Published: Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010 8:46 p.m. MST

OREM — He's not coming from nowhere.

This time last year, Manase Tonga was out of shape, unsure if he'd play his senior year of college at BYU, and very confused as to whether he'd ever reach his dream of playing in the NFL.

But today, he's finished a giant leap to get back on track — and his dream lives on.

At 6-foot and 248 pounds, Tonga is a devastating blocker with powerful drive in his lower body. As a lead blocker in Robert Anae's offense, he was fearless in tracking down and putting a bead on linemen, linebackers, safeties and corners for Harvey Unga. His pass protection is something Anae and position coach Lance Reynolds use as an example, a how-to tape.

Tonga is currently working out daily in Orem with a private trainer, Dave Stroshine, in preparation for the NFL Combine at the end of the month. His draft stock is high, some projecting him as the first fullback taken, according to Stroshine, who also trains former Cougars Fahu Tahi (Minnesota Vikings) and Fui Vakapuna (Cincinnati Bengals).

Vakapuna had no NFL traction at all when he left BYU two years ago. The former East High star had to come from nowhere to get the NFL to notice him.

Stroshine says that isn't the case with Tonga.

"Last year, Fui had a shoulder injury. Nobody knew anything about him," said Stroshine. "But Manase is already on people's big board."

Tonga left BYU and football for 16 months while he battled academic issues.

Add to that a two-year mission to San Pedro, Honduras, before enrolling at BYU, and he's had some lengthy interruptions since high school football days. Tonga didn't find out he could play his senior year until mid-July before two-a-days began. That he made it and succeeded on an 11-win bowl team helped launch him to the spot he finds himself in today.

The day he walked into BYU's team meeting last August, Tonga's 16-month hiatus turned into gold.

"I felt it as soon as I walked in the room," he said. "I didn't know what my role would be, but I was a veteran. To see how everybody welcomed me, reacted, was something else. Everyone in our position meeting had a little lighter step and we started clicking on the field the first day."

Then came an upset win over Oklahoma, something Tonga will never forget.

"Oh, man, it was a great feeling. First, I wanted to finish what I started," he said.

"Second, I felt if I would have stayed away and not come back, there would have been a lot of regret and wondering 'What if? ' "

His college career ended in Las Vegas with a bowl win over Oregon State. He finished up with a class that has now posted more wins than any other in BYU history.

"It solidified our season and proved the win over Oklahoma wasn't a fluke," he said.

The thing with Tonga, unlike Tahi and Vakapuna — who made NFL rosters as halfbacks switched to fullbacks — he has always been a fullback and has trained to play that position.

"Nobody's told me I'm better than they are," Tonga said, "but from what I hear, I'm rating higher coming out because I've played that position all the time."

Stroshine's goal is to get Tonga to post his best numbers at the combine despite finishing the season with a sprained shoulder and knee. In early January, he rehabbed those issues. The target is for Tonga to run a sub-4.8 time in the 40-yard dash, do about 20 reps of the 225-pound bench press and post some numbers in the vertical jump and cone sprints.

"Dave is a miracle worker," said Tonga. "He's working miracles again. When I found out I could play my senior year, I came to him to get in shape, working out with Fui, Fahu and Harvey Unga. All I had was two weeks. After 16 months of doing nothing, he whipped me into some kind of shape."

A combination of work on weights, bands and Bungee cords, Tonga is making workouts his full-time job while his wife, Lolohea, is home with 18-month-old Semesi and 4-month-old Laila.

"Now he's transforming my body. I feel stronger than I ever felt, even before my high school days. I'm feeling more mobile and faster. It's the training Dave's had, and to spend time individually every day, working on mechanics and techniques has helped. He knows how the body works. He has the weirdest workouts, but they are effective."

Tonga knows the combine will be a cattle-prod session, and his concentration will be tested.

But from where he was a year ago, just to be invited is a blessing he counts every day.

Bengals impress young football players during school visits

As a visit years ago from Joe Salave’a had impacted Bengals lineman Domata Peko when he was a student at Samoana, school visits by Peko, teammates Rey Maulauga and Jonathan Fanene are making a big impression on local athletes who dream of playing in the NFL.

“It was good,” Fa’asao Marist Crusader defensive end David Katina told Samoa News after hearing the guys speak. “Like Domata was saying about Joe Salave’a...now I’m looking at them...I see the same thing. I want to be in their shoes too.”

Katina is a senior at Kanana Fou High School, who plays defensive end for Fa’asao Marist. He has just signed on to play for the University of Hawaii Warriors and Head Coach Greg McMackin.

Katina, an International Federation of American Football (IFAF) World Team pick, says he stayed with Fanene in the US recently and met Maualuga and Peko on the trip home Sunday.

“Using their advice, about God and hard work I think I can get there,” Katina said.

First stop yesterday was Tafuna High School, the alma mater of Cincinnati defensive tackle Jonathan Fanene who spoke to a hyped up crowd of Warriors.

“I started off where you are now, sitting and listening to the words of the previous NFL players we had back then, and now here I am, living the dream that I have always wanted to live, and it all goes back to education,” he said. “We are human beings like you are, and if you’re living the life that we started off at, then don’t tell yourself that you can’t make it. If we can make it, you can make it.”

He encouraged them to stay in school, listen to their parents, love themselves and their surroundings. After Tafuna, Fanene attended College of the Canyons and the University of Utah.

“The most important thing in life for me, is my family. My parents have raised me from childhood to be the best I can, and sometimes I tend to stray, but they’re the only two people in my lives who will always forgive me no matter what I do, and this is what I can do to repay them, is to love them and obey them,” said Fanene.

At Leone he told students they should be prepared to make a lot of sacrifices if they want to make it.

Tafuna, Leone and Fa’asao Marist received football equipment yesterday from the Domata Peko Foundation and Maualuga.

“Dreams do come true,” Leone High School Vice Principal Dorian Salave’a told the students during the Bengals visit yesterday, which he called a “very special treat for everyone who has dreams.”

Manu’a boy Maualuga, who grew up in Hawaii, threw up a shaka sign as he was introduced.

“When I was a little kid, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life,” he told the Lions. “I started playing football in the seventh grade...we moved to California and my dad forced me to play football...I didn’t want to play.”

Maualuga said he wanted to ‘ka’a’ and hang out with his friends.

“But I realized that my purpose here on Earth is to play football...I was blessed with God-given talents...the size, the ability,” he said. “There’s a reason everyone is here...I’m thankful...I have the best job in the world.”

He recounted that there were a lot of critics who told him he would not play Division I college football but he was able to prove everyone wrong, even some skeptical family members.

His parents and their teachings were a big influence on his life, said Maualuga and told youth they should “cherish” the time with their mom and dad.

“We’re having a great time in Samoa and hopefully we will leave with a lot of memories,” he said.

Peko, a Samoana High School graduate reminisced on days of high school, joking that Leone always had “the prettiest girls.”

He shared the experience of listening to Joe Salave’a years ago.

“In 2001, Joe Salave’a came to my school...doing the same thing I’m doing...I told Joe I was going to make it to the NFL,” Peko said. “If there is one thing Joe told me I needed to make it to the NFL — it was hard work. If you want to be in the NFL, go to school, go to class and obey your parents. Keep your eyes in the prize. If me, Rey and Fanene can do it, you can too...make your family proud and our people proud...I love Samoa and I love my people...If you listen to one thing today from us — put God first.”

In answering questions from the students, Peko said before he joined the Bengals, he was a big Raiders fan. While he has realized his dreams other goals they (himself, Maualuga and Fanene) seek to accomplish include playing in the Pro-Bowl and winning a Super Bowl.

He said the hardest challenge he faced on his way to the NFL was having bad friends and the hardest thing was getting rid of them.

“Don’t hang around with those people...hang around with people who have the same goals with you,” Peko advised.

Last stop on the Bengals’ high school visits yesterday was Fa’asao Marist High School which is celebrating Catholic Education Week. Their teammate defensive tackle Orien Harris was with them.

“We saved the best for last,” Peko said to a cheering crowd of Cougars and Crusaders.

Peko told Samoa News his Foundation was able to collect 150 sets of donated pads and helmets while the Foundation put in 120 sets. The sets have been divided up for the schools.

“This is something I’ve always wanted to do...playing football here, we had some sorry equipment...and I hope you guys win the championship with this,” he told Fa’asao Marist.

Linebacker Maualuga purchased 700 pairs of cleats that were distributed among the island’s six high schools for their football players.

Fanene, from Nu’uuli, told students he came from a poor family, the second eldest of 13 children.

But times for Fanene are way different now. He is going into his fifth year with the Bengals, a 2005 seventh round NFL draft pick. He has a family of his own, wife Lori and son Truman and with his NFL salary has built a palatial home for his parents and siblings in Malaeimi that was featured on 60 Minutes’ “Football Island”.

"Family first, and education,” he told Fa’asao Marist.

Students questioned Peko on many things: why the long hair; how it feels to be a professional football player; and what he plans to do after football. One also asked if they communicate with Steelers’ Troy Polamalu, another Samoan in the NFL.

Peko says it feels great to play in the NFL; and they grow their hair long to represent the islands as do Tongan players in the NFL. Polamalu, he says, is a very humble person and after games they like to shake hands and talk. He says when he can’t play football anymore, he’d like to return to American Samoa and become a teacher.

“I’m going to try to bring all the Samoans together, all the uso, and try to do a football camp for the kids next year,” Peko said

Kanana Fou High School’s Ben Langford, 16, who has one more year as quarterback for the Crusaders said the Bengals visit taught him a lot.

“About how to make it in the NFL, with God and hard work,” says Langford, “and hopefully one day we can make it too and come back to Samoa to help with our community.”

Players will visit Kanana Fou High School and Lauli’i Elementary School today. They are expected to visit with the American Youth Football Samoa League on Saturday.

Arizona adds a Samoan football recruit, extending a rich tradition

The Arizona football team, building on its tradition of recruiting American Samoa and players of Polynesian heritage, has added defensive tackle Aiulua Fanene to its recruiting class.

Fanene, the brother of defensive end Jonathan Fanene of the Cincinnati Bengals, is from Tafuna High School on the island and was part of a recent “60 Minutes” feature on football in Samoa. You can watch it here. I’d recommend watching the whole thing if you haven’t seen it, but the part with Fanene begins at about the 6:12 mark.

Fanene was recruited by UA defensive line coach Mike Tuiasosopo, who has known the family since he recruited Jonathan to Utah.

In a 2006 story in the Tucson Citizen, Tuiasosopo talked about Arizona’s connection to the island.

“Others claim they have been there, but if anybody has a history, or can make that claim it is Arizona,” said Tuiasosopo, who was born in Samoa and has a nearly endless list of relatives who have played football in the United States.

“Utah and BYU can make a claim they have been involved because of their Mormon influence, but Washington and Oregon, I get a tickle out of that. They can say that now, but trust me, Arizona has a history.”

Former Arizona coach Dick Tomey, who had previously been the head coach at Hawaii, was, “instrumental in building the Samoan pipeline,” as described in a 2003 Sports Illustrated story titled “Football in Paradise.” And not just the pipeline to Arizona — the prolific pipeline from Samoa to colleges to the NFL.

The magazine wrote than Tomey had more than 120 Samoan players on his rosters at Hawaii and Arizona, spanning 24 years.

“There are no athletes that are, in my estimation, more competitive, more athletic or more family-oriented, or who fit into a team concept as well as Samoan athletes,” Tomey told SI. “The more we could get on our team, the better I felt.”

The Wildcats have sent at least a dozen players of Polynesian ties to the NFL: DL Stan Mataele, OL Mu Tagoai, OL Pulu Poumele, OT Edwin Mulitalo, TE Brandon Manumaleuna, DE Van Tuinei, OL Makoa Freitas, OL Makai Freitas, OL Steven Grace, OL Kili Lefotu, OL Manu Savea and DT Joe Salave’a.

The long list of Polynesian players at Arizona includes quarterbacks George Malauulu and Willie Tuitama. Malauulu is the president of the AIGA Foundation, which, according to its blog, seeks to “bring exposure to Pacific Islander football players excelling at the high school, collegiate and professional level.”

Many of the current and former Arizona players with Polynesian ties come from Hawaii or the West Coast, but some have come directly from American Samoa, including Savea and the late Young Thompson.

Salave’a, who was born in Samoa, lost several family members in last September’s devastating tsunami and has been active in relief efforts through his foundation.

In another good story on the subject, this one a 2000 story from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer written by Ted Miller, now of ESPN.com, then-UA defensive coordinator Rich Ellerson was quoted about the values of the Samoan culture.

“Their physical profile is outstanding for the game,” Ellerson said, “but I think the cultural profile — the family values, the idea of sacrifice, taking pride in your performance, the importance of toughness — that’s also important. Their chances of success are impacted by how close they are to their culture.”

Family values, sacrifice, pride and toughness: In the 60 Minutes profile, Aiulua Fanene was said to “do a day’s work before school under the direction of his father, David.”

Fanene will see plenty of friendly faces when he arrives in Tucson, and he won’t be fazed by the rigors of coach Mike Stoops‘ fall camp.

Cats Go Global for Big Recruit

The University of Arizona football program added a noted 21st newcomer to its class of 2010 today, with the arrival of a National Letter of Intent from Aiulua Fanene of American Samoa.

Fanene, 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds, played defensive tackle and offensive guard for Tafuna High School on the island, garnering notoriety that earned him a spot in the Samoa-Hawaii All-Star Bowl and a later USA Football event in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., in connection with the NFL's Pro Bowl.

Fanene, whose brother, Jonathan, is a five-year NFL veteran defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals, was recruited by UA defensive line coach Mike Tuiasosopo, who knows the Fanene family after recruiting the older brother to Utah from College of the Canyons in 2003 while an assistant for the Utes.

Aiulua earned co-defensive player of the year honors and first-team all-Samoa honors at Tafuna his senior year. Tafuna lost to Samoana High School in a defensive battle in the island prep championship game, 7-6.

He and several other island players were featured in a CBS 60 Minutes feature, "Football Island," that ran on the network last month.

He is one of 12 children of David and Anna Fanene of Nu'uuli.

Fanene was on the World team in USA Football's Team USA vs. The World all-star game in late January, named to the squad by the International Federation of American Football.

Head Coach Mike Stoops announced a signing class of 20 newcomers and three mid-year enrollees in a news conference on the Feb. 3 national signing date. Fanene now gives the Cats a group representing nine states and the Pacific island U.S. sovereign territory.

See the 60 Minutes feature by clicking here.

Bengals receive huge welcome at Fagaitua, Samoana & Voc-Tech

Cincinnati Bengals stars — Domata Peko and Rey Maualuga received huge welcomes at Fagaitua, Samoana and Nu’uuli Voc-Tech high schools yesterday — when they donated equipment to football programs and urged students to get an education, noting the key to success is hard work.

The Vikings, Sharks and Wildcats excitedly welcomed the Bengals.

An assembly of students and faculty from Fagaitua, where Peko was a 10th and 11th grader, was the first group to be visited by the Peko/Maualuga entourage, Peko’s wife Anna, their sons and many other relatives.

“I’ll never forget Fagaitua High School...I had the best time of my life here,” Peko told students and faculty, and the crowd roared.

Helmets and pads were donated to all three schools by the newly-formed Domata Peko Foundation. Maualuga has donated cleats for all the players. Students received souvenirs, Bengals posters, candies and some keen advice from Peko and Maualuga. Those who asked questions received Bengals wear.

“First of all I’d like to thank God for this opportunity,” said Peko. “I thank the principal, and the teachers for having me here today...I wanted to come and talk to you a little bit about education...we need to stress to players that football and education go hand-in-hand...you can’t have one without the other.”

Peko said he attended Lauli’i Elementary School, Fagaitua High and graduated from Samoana. He earned an associate degree from a junior college and picked up a full scholarship to attend Michigan State University where he majored in sociology. He was drafted in the 4th round of the 2006 NFL draft.

It was his dream to play for the NFL.

“I was in your shoes...I’m here now, I made it,” he told the Vikings. “In order to be successful, you have to work hard, listen to your teachers, keep your head up high...if I can do it, you can too.”

He pushed them to resist peer pressure.

“I know it’s hard, sometimes it’s hard,” he recalled. “Your friends say ‘sole ka’o e faakau se pusa pia.’ It was tough to be able to stay away from those things.”

The motto of the Domata Peko Foundation is “Building our kids a brighter future.”

In response to questions from Fagaitua kids, he said the best thing that has happened to him are his two kids — sons Domata Jr. and Joseph. His favorite music is reggae.

The Vikings insisted on hearing from Maualuga who has been able to trace his roots back to Sili, Olosega, Manu’a, however, his family lives in Nu’uuli, he explained.

“The opportunity to come back to where my mom and dad are from...I grew up in Hawaii with my older brother,” he said. “We used to get upset because we had to wear the same clothes to school every year...I was ashamed...people made fun of us. My dad would tell us ‘poko le ulu, maua ai mea lelei’.”

He said he chose to chase his dreams of playing in the NFL.

“Put God first in your life...being able to appreciate...when I wake up everyday I try to represent you guys, I’m representing all the Samoans,” said Maualuga.

All school visits were opened with words of prayer and hymns sung by the students. At each school the players changed their uniforms to fit in with the student body, each taking mementos of the schools with them.

At Voc-Tech, the school’s Top 4 students for this quarter were awarded Bengals jerseys by Peko.

He also urged students to do their best, to be the fastest and strongest as in the NFL you are among the “best of the best.”

Principals Samasoni Asaeli (Fagaitua), Simon Mageo (Samoana) and Saouila Fanene Kava (Voc-Tech) thanked the Bengals for their help and for visiting their schools.

Each principal was presented a jersey by Peko.

Students cheered and screamed for the football stars during the assemblies.

At Samoana, Maualuga said when he was a child his parents worked two jobs to put food on the table. A rowdy Sharks audience quieted with Maualuga’s story. He said it was hard growing up and told students to be mindful of, and thankful for their parents.

Maualuga’s father died several years ago.

At Voc-Tech, he told the gathering that he lived in a strict household and his mother worked hard everyday. Maualauga said he wanted to make his dreams a reality and play for the NFL so he could take care of his mother and she would never have to work another day.

“Be happy they (your parents) are here,” he said. “I thank God for the opportunity to play football. Anything’s possible...the sky is the limit. There will be some bumps...but put God first.”

Peko, Maualuga and their families will also visit Tafuna, Leone, , Fa’asao Marist high schools and Lauli’i Elementary.

Evan Palelei Profile

By BILL WAGNER, Staff Writer

Naval Academy linebacker recruit Evan Palelei comes from good stock. The Nevada native is the son of Lonnie Palelei, who spent seven years in the National Football League as an offensive guard for the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants and Jets.

Evan Palelei did not quite inherit the size of his father, who stood 6-foot-3 and weighed 315 pounds in his prime. However, the son is still pretty big at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds and is also fast and athletic enough to play outside linebacker.

Palelei, out of Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas, is part of an impressive crop of linebackers that Navy landed as part of its 2010 recruiting class. Cardinal O’Hara product Mike O’Hara (Drexel Hill, Pa.) and St. Thomas Aquinas standout Vinnie Mauro (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) are two other “direct-entry” recruits who could make an immediate impact.

Palelei was named first team All-State after recording 88 tackles and nine sacks as a senior at Bishop Gorman. He selected Navy over scholarship offers from Colorado and Nevada-Las Vegas.

“Evan is an extremely mature kid who understood the value of a Naval Academy degree. He wants to become an engineer and knows Navy has one of the best programs in the nation,” Bishop Gorman head coach Tony Sanchez said. “He has all the intangibles you could imagine in terms of leadership, character and discipline. He will fit well at a service academy.”

Sanchez simply raves when asked about Palelei’s potential at the Division I level, saying the youngster’s upside is through the roof.

“You couldn’t find a better football player. Evan has good size, runs well and is extremely physical,” Sanchez said. “I think Evan has the ability to bulk up and possibly play defensive end down the road. He’s got great genes with his father having played in the NFL and is a very knowledgeable football player. Navy got a big-time linebacker in this kid.”

Navy entered the picture late as assistant Steve Johns could not believe that Palelei was still available in early January. The youngster wanted to get away from home and thus wasn’t too interested in UNVL and sensed he was not high in the priority list for Colorado.

Johns, who was once an assistant at UNLV and recruits the West region for Navy, made a strong push for Palelei and got him to visit Annapolis the weekend of Jan. 22-24.

“Hands down, the service academies offer a great opportunity as far as education and career. I also think the whole military experience will be something special,” he said.

Navy’s Ken Niumatalolo is the first Samoan collegiate head coach on any level and quickly developed a bond with Palelei, whose father was born in America Samoa.

“My dad knew all about Coach Niumat and is very proud of what he has accomplished. It’s definitely a real honor for me to play for Coach Niumat,” Palelei said.

Palelei has been part of two state championship squads at Bishop Gorman, which is also the alma mater of current Navy offensive lineman Sam Womack.

Gov. Togiola welcomes home Domata Peko, Rey Maualuga and Jonathan Fanene; Samoan Bengals donate $40,500 to disaster relief fund

Governor Togiola Tulafono today welcomed home Domata Peko, Rey Maualuga and Jonathan Fanene of the Cincinnati Bengals.

In welcome remarks at the Office of the Governor, Governor Togiola lauded the three NFL players on their achievements in the National Football League, which has put “American Samoa in the limelight.”

In a special presentation, Domata Peko, on behalf of his teammates, the Cincinnati Bengals and the people of Greater Cincinnati, presented to Governor Togiola a check in the amount of $40,500 as their contribution to the American Samoa Disaster Relief Fund.

The following is the text of the presentation at the Office of the Governor Conference Room:

11:15 A.M. SST

Governor Togiola Tulafono: Talofa. We are so honored to have our famous Bengals back home. I had made a prediction that you were going to meet the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl. Perhaps down the line we let up on our prayers. Oh well, there is always next year.

I would like to welcome Domata Peko, Rey Maualuga and Jonathan Fanene back home. Thank you very much for honoring us with your presence on island, to visit your families, friends, and to also meet with us here today. I know your visit was largely driven by your desires to give a little of yourselves and sharing a little bit of your fame with us here at home, and at the same time contributing to the recovery of our people who have been devastated by the events of September 29th.

It is very heartwarming for me as Governor to be able to receive young people like you who really have everything in your hands and in your lives that you don’t really need to worry about what else is outside of it, but we know that you are doing it because you are very caring people; very caring young men with excellent home training and rearing with Samoan values and Samoan upbringing. Some of your parents are pastors in American Samoa or have served in the ministry, and so it is quite excellent for you to have had good counsel in your young lives. Thank you for being home.

When Mr. Scott Pelly of 60 Minutes asked on the “Football Island’ segment what makes Samoan so big and I said “Big is beautiful” - What I really wanted to add to that was Samoans have such big hearts we need big bodies to put it in. I see that in all of you today. Thank you for your big hearts. You’ve brought your big hearts home so that you can share with our island community.

I would also like to acknowledge the presence of Reverend Alataua Si’itupe Peko and Mrs. Suafa’asisina Peko, Domata’s parents, and Mrs. Purinisese Peko McMoore and the rest of the Peko family and friends, and also to the families and friends of Jonathan Fanene and Rey Maualuga – congratulations to you all – you have every reason to be proud of your sons, your kin, and what they have been able to do for themselves and for all of us. In their achievements, American Samoa shares the limelight. Because of them 60 Minutes came on island. As you know these Bengals were featured specially on “Football Island” because it was these fine Samoan NFL players that got the attention that put us in the limelight.

Bringing you home today, I can tell you that there are many young people on island who look up to you, as you have looked up to your Samoan NFL brothers who came before you, and I hope that they will have an opportunity to just shake your hand and hug you and share your heart with them. And so on their behalf, I want to thank you very much for coming home and sharing this time with us.

As a former policeman here in American Samoa, I would like to tell you a story from long ago when I was riding a small bus. I was sitting behind the old driver and I said to the old man, “You know, you’ve been driving this bus for such a long time that I don’t recall you ever getting a ticket. How is that?” The old bus driver said, “You see, son, I keep both of my hands on the steering wheel, and Jesus’ hands are on top of both of them. I can’t go wrong.”

Domata, Rey and Jonathan, keep the Good Lord always with you and you can’t go wrong.

I would like to thank you very much for all that you’ve done for all of Samoa in the National Football League and for all that you are still doing, and will continue to do. We welcome you home.

Domata Peko: Governor, first I would like to thank God for this opportunity to be in your presence because we really look up to you. It is an honor to be able to be here to speak to you. And it is even more of an honor just to be back home. On 29th of September, back in Cincinnati we were devastated in hearing that Samoa was hit by a tsunami. We also felt the pain because many of our families and our relatives were affected by it and even lost their lives.

Jonathan, Rey and I wanted to put some money together to help out. So, we had a big fundraising rally in Fountain Square in Cincinnati and more than 2,000 people came out to support – we signed autographs, gave out jerseys and auctioned out many things – it was a big success.

So, Governor Togiola, on behalf of Rey Maualuga, Jonathan Fanene, the Cincinnati Bengals, Greater Cincinnati - the Tri-State areas of Ohio, Indiana, and Northern Kentucky, we wish to present to you this check for the amount of $40,500 as our united contribution to the recovery and rebuilding efforts here at home in American Samoa.

Governor Togiola Tulafono: On behalf of American Samoa, and on behalf of the people who will receive the benefits of your grace and your compassion, and especially those who are in need of help at this time, I wish to thank you for this huge donation. What you have done is most gracious. For all the families that will be receiving this gift of love – those who will receive this assistance directly, I want to say thank you to the three of you – Domata, Rey and Jonathan, and to the Cincinnati Bengals, and all the good people of Greater Cincinnati and the Tri-State area for this wonderful donation. May God bless you and the big hearts that He gave you in giving back to your island home in time of need. We wish you all the best for the rest of your careers. I wish you good health and all the success in the world. Take care of yourselves. Stay healthy, stay good, stay positive in the midst of adversity. Thank you again. Good luck to you. All the best. Fa’afetai le alofa. [Thank you for your love.] Soifua. [Farewell and good health.]