by Finau Fonua
There are currently at least 21 Gridiron players of Tongan heritage in America’s most popular sporting tournament, the National Football League.
The number is down from previous years but still impressive considering the relatively small population of Tongan Americans (40,000+) in a country of over 300 Million people.
Of the thirty-two teams that play in the competition, fifteen teams have players of Tongan heritage. The team with the most Tongan players was the Seattle Seahawks (3).
NFL players of Tongan Heritage (Practice Squads included)
Tony Moeaki (Seattle Seahawks)
Will Tukuafu (Seattle Seahawks)
Stanley Havili (Seattle Seahawks)
Bojay Filimoeatu (Oakland Raiders)
Paul Fanaika (Arizona Cardinals)
Hebron Fangupo (Kansas Chiefs)
Ricky Havili-Heimuli (Atlanta Falcons)
Fili Moala (Indianapolis Colts)
Star Lotulelei (North Carolina Panthers)
Amini Silatolu (North Carolina Panthers)
Matthew Masifilo (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Will Ta’ufo’ou (Jacksonville Jaguars)
John Lotulelei (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Koa Misi (Miami Dolphins)
Roy Helu Jr (Washington)
Tevita Stevens (Washington)
Tevita Finau (New York Jets)
Haloti Ngata (Baltimore Ravens)
Sione Fua (Cleveland Browns)
Christian Tupou (Cleveland Browns)
Stephen Paea (Chicago Bears)
