The reputation of the Polynesian American football player, or rather, perhaps, the image, is that of a huge, hulking individual, typically an offensive or defensive lineman. There would occasionally be a linebacker like Junior Seau, or a safety like the Pittsburgh Steelers’ own, Troy Polamalu. It’s more in recent years that we have begun to see more Polynesians at skill positions.
In honor of Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Polamalu and former San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowl guard Jesse Sapolu sat down and spoke with Steve Wyche about the legacy of Polynesians in football, and in the NFL, and how it has grown.