American Football
The first Tongan to play in the NFL was running back/kick returner Vai Sikahema (1986-1993). Offensive Lineman Spencer Folau, born in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, was a member of the Super Bowl XXXV champion Baltimore Ravens. Tongan Americans currently playing in the NFL include Pro Bowl, Nose Tackle Haloti Ngata of the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Nose Tackle Sione Pouha, Minnesota Vikings, Fullback Naufahu Tahi and Kansas City Chiefs, Tight End Tony Moeaki. Offensive Guard Deuce Lutui, who was born in the Haʻapai division of the islands, plays for the Cincinnati Bengals. Carolina Panthers, Defensive tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu and his brother offensive lineman Chris Kemoeatu, who has won the Super Bowl two times, with the Pittsburgh Steelers, are natives of Tonga.
Read more about this topic: Sport In Tonga
Famous quotes containing the words american and/or football:
“An American cannot converse, but he can discuss, and his talk falls into a dissertation. He speaks to you as if he was addressing a meeting; and if he should chance to become warm in the discussion, he will say “Gentlemen” to the person with whom he is conversing.”
—Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859)
“People stress the violence. That’s the smallest part of it. Football is brutal only from a distance. In the middle of it there’s a calm, a tranquility. The players accept pain. There’s a sense of order even at the end of a running play with bodies stewn everywhere. When the systems interlock, there’s a satisfaction to the game that can’t be duplicated. There’s a harmony.”
—Don Delillo (b. 1926)