Most of American Samoans live on Tutuila; a few thousand reside on the three small islands making up Manu’a, 68 miles away. Some credit taro, a starchy root that’s a staple in Polynesian diets, dubbing it “the Samoan steroid.” Others have wondered whether Samoans are genetically predisposed to developing the sort of bulky frame that’s ideal for linemen and linebackers. Rob Ruck is a professor of history at the University of Pittsburgh. “Fa’a Samoa” revolves around mutual obligations and respect for elders, including preachers, teachers – and, these days, coaches.

Lee Cataluna: Can Maui Find Economic Success Online. Samoans, as a people, tend to be heftier – they suffer from some of the highest obesity rates in the world – making them a natural fit for a sport where size matters. Most American Samoans live on Tutuila; a few thousand reside on the three small islands making up Manu’a, 68 miles away. In 1961, Reader’s Digest published an article titled “America’s Shame in the South Seas” that described crumbling government buildings, a polluted bay, and an island rich with natural resources that had been reduced to importing canned goods to cover food shortages. Ziplocked: Last Look at California’s Presidential Money Race, by Zip Code, New Law Sets Gun Control to Autopilot in California. I’ve traveled to American Samoa five times – most recently in October 2018 – to learn more about what fosters this culture of football excellence. The squad practices at Onesosopo Park, a half-hour drive from the school, on a furrowed field filled with puddles and toads. But he can’t say whether that explains their success on the football field. People live in small villages on collectively owned land, and players perform chores on the hillside plantations in the morning and after practice. The squad practices at Onesosopo Park, a half-hour drive from the school, on a furrowed field filled with puddles and toads. “Football,” he added softly, is also “in our culture.”. Samoans lag behind most groups in terms of health, income and education. Cameras were even invented so small they could be sewn with the lens behind a buttonhole, the shutter release kept in a pocket. Boys at Faga’itua can’t stop at McDonald’s after practice like players from Tafuna, their arch-rival from the other side of the island. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account. Your email address will not be published. But as the dangers of the game become more well-known, there’s a bittersweet element to the narrative. Some credit taro, a starchy root that’s a staple in Polynesian diets, dubbing it “the Samoan steroid.” Others have wondered whether Samoans are genetically predisposed to developing the sort of bulky frame that’s ideal for linemen and linebackers.

For these reasons, success on the playing field is seen as a reflection of family, village and island. The emphasis on the warrior spirit – and overcoming fears – is part of what makes them excel at football. Faga’itua’s players aren’t the biggest on the island, but they train relentlessly under head coach Su’aese “Pooch” Ta’ase, the best and most successful coach in island history. The FCC released new rules aiming to combat spoofed robocalls.

Since Samoans first arrived in their South Pacific archipelago 3,000 years ago, they’ve lived according to “fa’a Samoa” – “in the way of Samoa.”. You pull the driver over and she’s clearly intoxicated. Some credit taro, a starchy root that’s a staple in Polynesian diets, dubbing it “the Samoan steroid.” Others have wondered whether Samoans are genetically predisposed to developing the sort of bulky frame that’s ideal for linemen and linebackers. Players seem oblivious to the risks. Football actually came later to American Samoa. Their sons and grandsons took to football. Pooch’s Vikings ended up losing to Tafuna last season; but he’s been preparing his squad for the upcoming campaign since January. But football, along with rugby, another contact sport, continue to be the most popular among young Samoans in the U.S. and American Samoa. This summer, the Vikings travel to Honolulu to play Kamehameha, the school that Princess Bernice Pauhai Bishop endowed for native Hawaiians. A confirmation email will arrive shortly. Players seem oblivious to the risks. Nobody raised a hand. To him, genes matter much less than American Samoa’s unique culture and history. Get occasional emails highlighting essays, analysis and opinion from IDEAS, Civil Beat's commentary section. Faga’itua’s players aren’t the biggest on the island, but they train relentlessly under head coach Su’aese “Pooch” Ta’ase, the best and most successful coach in island history. If you’ve relied on our election coverage this season, please consider making a tax-deductible gift to support our newsroom. During one of my earlier trips to the island, I spoke with one of the team’s defensive backs, Lafaele Simanu. Shootings Down 60%, Police Say. I saw it in the “siva tau” war dances they perform before games – both a ceremonial gesture and one designed to intimidate opponents. Polynesians might be the new face of football and the game might have become the story that Samoans proudly tell to the world. They’ve been raising money for the trip through car washes, a Radio-A-Thon and crowdfunding. It can be composed of base metal, paper or electronic data – none of which is in short supply. Be the first to hear about important news stories with these occasional emails. Teams don’t administer pre-season baseline concussion tests. Samoans became fierce American patriots. “We still live in our culture out here,” he explained. The Vikings and other teams in the territory lack the resources and facilities that U.S. teams take for granted. Samoans became fierce American patriots. In 1961, Reader’s Digest published an article titled “America’s Shame in the South Seas” that described crumbling government buildings, a polluted bay, and an island rich with natural resources that had been reduced to importing canned goods to cover food shortages. Because we know that elections not only test society’s participation in our democracy, but journalism’s commitment to safeguarding it. Most of American Samoans live on Tutuila; a few thousand reside on the three small islands making up Manu’a, 68 miles away. Civil Beat ® is a registered trademark of Honolulu Civil Beat Inc. American Samoa has a total land area of 76.1 square miles – slightly larger than Washington, D.C. Stay Up To Date On The Coronavirus And Other Hawaii Issues.

In 1961, Reader’s Digest published an article titled “America’s Shame in the South Seas” that described crumbling government buildings, a polluted bay, and an island rich with natural resources that had been reduced to importing canned goods to cover food shortages. The emphasis on the warrior spirit – and overcoming fears – is part of what makes them excel at football. But as the dangers of the game become more well-known, there’s a bittersweet element to the narrative. I’ve traveled to American Samoa five times – most recently in October 2018 – to learn more about what fosters this culture of football excellence. Imagine if, after watching the thrilling victory of the Chicago Cubs in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series over the Cleveland Indians – a game in which the Cubs won their first championship in over a century – you learned that the Indians had collaborated with gamblers to intentionally throw the series. Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian announced his resignation from the company’s board of directors on June 5, 2020. And don't worry, we hate spam too! We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. We'll send you a confirmation e-mail shortly. Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, a pre-season favorite to become the second Samoan Heisman winner, is entering his junior year. Is the Clovis City Council’s Proclamation to End Racism Enough? The 200-plus Samoans playing Division I collegiate football are similarly overrepresented. © 2016 Ponderwall.com. Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, a pre-season favorite to become the second Samoan Heisman winner, is entering his junior year. During World War II, Pago Pago Harbor, located in the middle of American Samoa, became a staging ground for Allied troops in the Pacific theater. Our mission is to engage and educate the community on important public issues through in-depth reporting, explanatory and investigative journalism, analysis and commentary. There is nothing natural about money. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Along the way, it’s become clear that the Samoans pay a price for playing America’s game in a style that they call “the Samoan way.”. Since Samoans first arrived in their South Pacific archipelago 3,000 years ago, they’ve lived according to “fa’a Samoa” – “in the way of Samoa.”. Copyright © 2010-2020 Honolulu Civil Beat Inc. All rights reserved. About 180,000 people of Samoans descent live stateside, while another 55,000 live in American Samoa, a U.S. territory. I saw it in the “siva tau” war dances they perform before games – both a ceremonial gesture and one designed to intimidate opponents. Toxic Algae Warnings Issued for 2 Valley Waterways Ahead of Hot Weekend, Fresno Police Will Have Undercover Officers Near Polling Locations on Election Day, Local Debbas Gourmet Hopes Its New Chocolate Line Hits All the Right Notes, 'West Wing' Reunites Cast With a Mission: Get Out the Vote, Johnny Depp Loses UK Libel Case Over ‘Wife-Beater’ Claims, Curious About Going to a Movie Theater? “We live in our Samoan ways. Learn how your comment data is processed. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); With training camp in full swing, quarterback Marcus Mariota, the first Samoan Heisman Trophy winner, will be the signal caller for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. In October 2018, I returned to Tutuila, American Samoa’s biggest island, to watch the territory’s five football teams compete for the island championship and spend time with the Faga’itua High School football team on the eastern end of Tutuila. Football in the U.S. is at a crossroads. For these reasons, success on the playing field is seen as a reflection of family, village and island. Boys play on fields where chunks of volcanic rocks rip into flesh; their outdated helmets would have been discarded for safety reasons years ago stateside; and they seem to seek far more contact than U.S. players. Are you a Stathead, too? Nobody raised a hand.

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