Two Tongan gridiron players Haloti Ngata and Ma’ake Kemoeatu are Superbowl champions after their team The Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers 34-31, in a thrilling encounter at Superbowl XLVII in New Orleans on February 4.

Defensive Lineman for the Baltimore Ravens, 29 year old Haloti Ngata from Inglewood is one of the stars of the Baltimore Ravens and is highly rated as one of the best defensive players in the NFL. According to Forbes, Haloti Ngata is currently the 12^th highest paid athlete in the world with a total earnings of over $37 million last year.

34 year old Ma’ake Kemoeatu from Hawaii is a veteran Defensive Tackle for the Baltimore Ravens and has been a professional NFL player since 2002.

A third Tongan was also present at the Superbowl, 29 year old William Tukuafu of Salt Lake City played Full Back for the opposing team San Francisco 49ers.

The presence of two Samoans in the San Francisco 49ers (Mike Iopati, Issac Sopoaga), bringing in an irresistible Tonga-Samoan rivalry that usually exists on the Rugby field.

There are currently 17 Tongans playing in the NFL:

Haloti Ngata (29, Baltimore Ravens)
Ma’ake Kemoeatu (34, Baltimore Ravens)
Will Tukuafu (29, San Francisco 49ers)
Deuce Lutui (29, Tennesee Titans)
Stephen Paea (24, Chicago Bears)
Harvey Unga (26, Chicago Bears)
Sione Pouha (33, New York Jets)
Fui Vakapuna (28, New York Jets)
Tevita Finau (27, New York Jets)
Sione Fua (24, Carolina Panthers)
Stanley Havili (25, Philadelphia Eagles)
Roy Helu (24, Washington Redskins)
Koa Misi (26, Miami Dolphins)
Fili Moala (27, Indianapolis Colts)v Tony Moeaki (25, Kansas Chiefs)
Will Ta’ufo’ou (26, Jacksonville Jaguars)
Fenuki Tupou (27, New Orlean Saints).

Superbowl champions, Chris (left) and Ma'ake Kemoeatu (right), with
Lord Tu'ivakano, during the brothers' visit to Tonga in May 2011.