Four college football players of Tongan heritage were included in the 259 players selected in the 2021 NFL draft from 29 April – 1 May to join the NFL’s 32 franchises.
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Results for American Football
Monday 3 May 2021
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Cleveland, United States
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Monday 4 May 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
At least four college football players of Tongan descent were selected in the 2020 NFL Draft held from 23 – 25 April, including Tonga born guard Netane Muti. In addition to the draft, six free agents of Tongan descent have been contracted since the draft.
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Monday 17 June 2019
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Jacksonville, Florida
Tongan defensive tackle Kalani Fuapau Vakameilalo has been recruited to the Jacksonville Jaguar’s off-season roster.
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Friday 14 September 2018
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Buffalo City, USA
The Buffalo Bills have signed defensive end Nate Fakahafua Orchard for the 2018 – 2019 NFL season. The Los Angeles-born Tongan was signed on Monday, on a one-year deal.
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Tuesday 26 June 2018
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Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Former NFL player Stanely Havili (30) opened up about his struggles with drug addiction in an interview with a Utah news agency KSL Sports last week.
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Monday 14 May 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Over three hundred undrafted rookie free agents were signed with NFL teams following last month’s NFL Drafts. Among the enlisted are at least five players of Tongan descent.
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Tuesday 1 May 2018
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Jacksonville, Florida
The Jacksonville Jaguars have recruited New Zealand born linebacker Andrew Motuapuaka (22) of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is the son of Tongan immigrants Siaosi and Manu Motuapuaka.
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Monday 30 April 2018
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Arlington, Texas
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have drafted Vita Vea (23) of Milpitas, California. He is the son of Tongan immigrants Sione and Fipe Vea.
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Wednesday 31 January 2018
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Minnesota, United States
Halapoulivaati Vaitai of the Philadelphia Eagles and Harvey Langi of the New England Patriots, will vie for a Super Bowl ring when their teams clash in Super Bowl LII on February 4 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Eagles are expected to name Vaitai as a starting tackle while Langi sits on the Patriot’s injury list since surviving a serious car crash in October last year.
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Friday 19 January 2018
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Atlanta, Georgia, USA
The Atlanta Falcons have re-signed Taniela “Tani” Tupou of Everett, Washington, to be under contract once the next NFL season begins. Tani is of Tongan descent with a Hawaiian mother and Tongan father.
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Tuesday 16 January 2018
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Philadelphia, United States
Retired Tongan NFL star, Vai Sikahema, performed a Maori Haka for fans of the Philadelphia Eagles at a supporters rally in Philadelphia. Vai played for the Eagles between 1992 and 1993, as a running back.
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Wednesday 23 August 2017
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Provo, Utah,USA
Motekiai Taukolo Langi is set to debut for the Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars this weekend 27 August against the Portland State Vikings in Provo City, Utah.
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Monday 8 May 2017
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San Francisco, USA.
Tongan-raised Pita Taumoepenu of Pea, has been drafted by the San Francisco 49ers. He is among three football players of Tongan descent who were selected in the 2017 NFL Draft on April 27 – 29. The two others are Stevie Tuikolovatu from Utah and Sam Tevi from Texas.
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Friday 5 May 2017
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Auckland, New Zealand
American Football is attracting Tongan Women in Australia. This coming June, four women of Tongan descent will represent Australia at the 2017 American Football World Cup (IFAF World Championship) in Canada.
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Thursday 16 March 2017
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Dallas, USA
The Dallas Cowboys have signed Stephen Paea on a one-year contract. Paea agreed to the contract last Friday as announced by the Dallas Cowboys.
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Sunday 19 February 2017
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North Carolina, USA
The Carolina Panthers have announced their re-signing of Amini Silatolu on a 1 year contract. Carolina recruiting staff were reportedly pleased with the 28-year-old Offensive Guard's performance in a recent workout.
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Wednesday 15 February 2017
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Berrien Springs, Michigan, USA
University of Michigan football recruit, 17-year-old Phillip Paea, recalls his experience living in Tonga saying it made a huge impact setting a foundation for him and how he relates to others. Paea said his Tongan parents wanted him to learn about his roots and experience another culture other than the American one.
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Tuesday 24 January 2017
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Honolulu, Hawaii
Team Ronnie Stanley have won the Inaugral Polynesian Bowl after defeating Team Marcus Mariota 9 - 7 at Aloha Stadium in Hawaii on Saturday January 21. Team Stanley grabbed the win in the dying seconds of the game with a field goal.
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Sunday 7 February 2016
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Star Lotulelei will play in his first Super Bowl as the Carolina Panthers #98 right defensive tackle on 7 February 2016 against the Denver Broncos at Levi Stadium, San Francisco.
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Monday 1 February 2016
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Oahu, Hawaii
Vai Sikahema and Ronnie Stanley received accolades for their talent and skills in American football at the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend held in Oahu, Hawai'i on 29-30 January 2016. Photos by Dan K. Aiono Sataraka.
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