Washington State University Athletics
Joe Salave’a Named Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Finalist
September 13, 2016 | Football
HONOLULU - Washington State University Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Line Coach Joe Salave'a has been named a finalist for the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced Tuesday.
Salave'a, a native of Leone, American Samoa, is one of 18 finalists selected from over 200 nominees by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee composed of past head football coaches Dick Tomey (Chairman), LaVell Edwards, Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, ESPN SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett, NFL player personnel expert Gil Brandt, past NFLPA president and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae and Hawai'i sportscaster Robert Kekaula.
Now in his fifth season at Washington State, Salave'a has energized the Cougar defensive line, posting three of the top four season sack totals in the past 10 years and the most tackles-for-loss since the 1999 season. Under the guidance of Salave'a, Xavier Cooper was a third-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns, free agent Destiny Vaeao recently made the Philadelphia Eagles opening-day roster and current defensive end Hercules Mata'afa earned First-Team Freshman All-America honors by USA Today.
As a player, Salave'a was drafted in the fourth round by Tennessee in 1998 and spent five seasons with the Titans, one split year with the Baltimore Ravens and San Diego Chargers (2003) and his final three years in the NFL with the Washington Redskins from 2004-06. His NFL career spanned 100 games, 28 as a starter, where he totaled 82 tackles, 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He was the 107th overall draft selection and a member of the Titans' Super Bowl XXXIV team that lost to St. Louis, 23-16.
Salave'a lettered at Arizona as a defense tackle from 1994-97, serving as team captain in 1996. He earned honorable mention All-Pacific-10 Conference honors in 1995, second-team honors in 1996 and was a first-team selection in 1997. He recorded 157 career tackles at Arizona, all as an interior lineman, with 43.5 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks. He led the team in sacks and tackles for loss in both 1996 and 1997, and in fumbles caused in 1994 and 1996.
Salave'a has been one of America Samoa's foremost football ambassadors promoting the game among Samoan youth, including founding a foundation to help introduce the game and strengthen its appeal.
He founded the Joe Salave'a Foundation in 2001. The foundation specializes in free football clinics for youngsters in American Samoa and Hawaii. His work was recognized by Congressman Eni Faleomavaega in a 2005 White House ceremony hosted by President George W. Bush to celebrate Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.
Salave'a and his wife, Josephine, have a daughter, Katalina Elizabeth, and a son, Joseph Fatuimoana Jr.
The committee will meet again in the coming weeks to select the six members (five players and one coach/contributor) who will be inducted as the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017.
"On behalf of our Board of Directors, we congratulate the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Finalists," said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. "Each Finalist had an outstanding football career and are worthy of induction into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame."
This year's inductees will be announced on October 12, 2016. They will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend, to be held in Oahu and at the Polynesian Cultural Center on January 21 & 22, 2016.
CLASS OF 2017 PLAYER FINALISTS
Salave'a, a native of Leone, American Samoa, is one of 18 finalists selected from over 200 nominees by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee composed of past head football coaches Dick Tomey (Chairman), LaVell Edwards, Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, ESPN SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett, NFL player personnel expert Gil Brandt, past NFLPA president and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae and Hawai'i sportscaster Robert Kekaula.
Now in his fifth season at Washington State, Salave'a has energized the Cougar defensive line, posting three of the top four season sack totals in the past 10 years and the most tackles-for-loss since the 1999 season. Under the guidance of Salave'a, Xavier Cooper was a third-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns, free agent Destiny Vaeao recently made the Philadelphia Eagles opening-day roster and current defensive end Hercules Mata'afa earned First-Team Freshman All-America honors by USA Today.
As a player, Salave'a was drafted in the fourth round by Tennessee in 1998 and spent five seasons with the Titans, one split year with the Baltimore Ravens and San Diego Chargers (2003) and his final three years in the NFL with the Washington Redskins from 2004-06. His NFL career spanned 100 games, 28 as a starter, where he totaled 82 tackles, 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He was the 107th overall draft selection and a member of the Titans' Super Bowl XXXIV team that lost to St. Louis, 23-16.
Salave'a lettered at Arizona as a defense tackle from 1994-97, serving as team captain in 1996. He earned honorable mention All-Pacific-10 Conference honors in 1995, second-team honors in 1996 and was a first-team selection in 1997. He recorded 157 career tackles at Arizona, all as an interior lineman, with 43.5 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks. He led the team in sacks and tackles for loss in both 1996 and 1997, and in fumbles caused in 1994 and 1996.
Salave'a has been one of America Samoa's foremost football ambassadors promoting the game among Samoan youth, including founding a foundation to help introduce the game and strengthen its appeal.
He founded the Joe Salave'a Foundation in 2001. The foundation specializes in free football clinics for youngsters in American Samoa and Hawaii. His work was recognized by Congressman Eni Faleomavaega in a 2005 White House ceremony hosted by President George W. Bush to celebrate Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.
Salave'a and his wife, Josephine, have a daughter, Katalina Elizabeth, and a son, Joseph Fatuimoana Jr.
The committee will meet again in the coming weeks to select the six members (five players and one coach/contributor) who will be inducted as the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017.
"On behalf of our Board of Directors, we congratulate the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Finalists," said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. "Each Finalist had an outstanding football career and are worthy of induction into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame."
This year's inductees will be announced on October 12, 2016. They will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend, to be held in Oahu and at the Polynesian Cultural Center on January 21 & 22, 2016.
CLASS OF 2017 PLAYER FINALISTS
- Junior Ah You (DE) Arizona State, Pro: CFL & USFL 12 years, Samoan ancestry
- Bob Apisa (FB/HB) Michigan State, Pro: NFL (GB) 1 year, Samoan ancestry
- Herman "Buddy" Piikei Clark (OL) Oregon State, Pro: NFL (CHI) 4 years, Hawaiian ancestry
- Riki Morgan Ellison (LB) USC, Pro: NFL (SF, OAK) 9 years, Maori ancestry
- Ma'ake Tu'amelie Kemoeatu (DT) Utah, Pro: NFL (BAL, CAR, WAS) 9 years, Tongan ancestry
- Chris Naeole (G) Colorado, Pro: NFL (NO, JAX) 12 years, Hawaiian ancestry
- Alapati "Al" Noga (DL) Hawai'i, Pro: NFL (MIN, WAS, IND) 7 years, Samoan ancestry
- Niko Noga (LB) Hawai'i, Pro: NFL (AZ, DET) 8 years, Samoan ancestry
- Joe Fagaone Salave'a (DL) Arizona, Pro: NFL (TEN, BAL, SD, WAS) 8 years, Samoan ancestry
- Dan Saleaumua (DT) Arizona State, Pro: NFL (DET, KC, SEA) 12 years, Samoan ancestry
- Ma'a Tanuvasa (DE) Hawai'i, Pro: NFL (STL, PIT, DEN, SD, ATL) 9 years, Samoan ancestry
- Mosiula Mea'alofa "Lofa" Tatupu (LB) USC, Pro: NFL (SEA) 6 years, Samoan ancestry
- Manu'ula "Manu" Asovalu Tuiasosopo (DL) UCLA, Pro: NFL (SEA, SF) 8 years, Samoan ancestry
- Marques Tavita Tuiasosopo (QB) Washington, Pro: NFL (OAK, NYJ) 8 years, Samoan ancestry
- Kimo von Oelhoffen (DL) Boise State, Pro: NFL (CIN, PIT, NYJ, PHI) 14 years, Hawaiian ancestry
- Thomas Ka'auwai Ka'ulukukui, Former Head Football Coach at University of Hawai'i, Hawaiian ancestry
- John Manumaleuna, Southern California Advocate for Polynesian Youth, Samoan ancestry
- Charlie Wedemeyer, Former Head Football Coach, Los Gatos High School (CA), Hawaiian ancestry
Players Mentioned
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