Jesse Sapolu

apia, samoa

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In Association with

Coming Soon: A Documentary Of Polynesia's Football Journey

Starring Four-time Super Bowl Champion Jesse Sapolu & more.

Starring Four-time Super Bowl Champion Jesse Sapolu. With features from Pro Football HOF Inductee Troy Polamalu, former NFL Running Back Vai Sikahema, Heisman Trophy Winner Marcus Mariota, Fan Favorite Juju Smith-Schuster, and many more — Discover what Faith, Family, and Football means in the Polynesian culture.

Our leader

Jesse Sapolu

Jesse Sapolu’s decorated career has earned him the title of being one of the most prestigious Polynesian players in history. Sapolu is a leader in the Polynesian Football community, and will be the main character of Pacific Roots: Our Football Legacy. From humble beginnings in the islands of Samoa, to playing in Super Bowl games alongside National Football League legends like Joe Montana, Steve Young and more, Seuli Manase Jesse Sapolu’s story is one that continues to inspire Polynesian football players. The film will connect stories of Polynesian coaches and players both past and present from all over the world. Their journeys will weave throughout Sapolu’s story, and emphasize the importance of faith, family, and football in the Polynesian culture.

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Jesse Sapolu, San Francisco 49ers. Star of Pacific Roots Our Football Legacy cutout photo.

Our Story

Polynesian Pipeline

As colleges continue to learn about these talented athletes, teams are looking to recruit and load their rosters with more Polynesian players and coaches. It is referenced to as the building of the, “Polynesian Pipeline” within football programs across the country. With their unique DNA makeup of size and athletic abilities, the Polynesian athletes who line up against their opponents have learned to dominate the game through their natural competitive mentality; that at the end of the day, it’s all about representing who you are and where you come from.

Troy Polamalu NFL Football Hall of Famer

Pol-y-ne-sian

/polynesian/

A region of the central Pacific that includes many islands and countries such as Hawaii, Samoa, the Cook Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Fiji, and Aotearoa.
Faith, family, food and football, four words used to describe life in many Polynesian homes. Although we may come from different parts of the world, we are all connected to our Polynesian roots, and raised on the same cultural foundations and beliefs

our people

Shores To trenches

Programs with Polynesian Coaches

NFL & College Programs with Polynesians

Pacific Roots Roster & Cast

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Blue square location markers overlay of the USA

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Map outline of the United States of America

“We should not be defined by the smallness of our islands but in the greatness of our oceans. We are the sea; we are the ocean. Oceania is us."

— epeli Hau'ofa

our history

Laying Down Roots

In 1945, Albert Lolotai became the first and only Polynesian to play in the NFL. That was 75 years ago. Now, there are more than 85 Polynesian players in the NFL, and over 200 playing in NCAA College Football.

It is said that a child born to Polynesian parents is 28 times more likely to play in the NFL than a child born to any other ethnicity.

That number is expanding as the sport continues to grow throughout the South Pacific islands, and more Polynesian athletes are being recruited to play at the highest levels of football.

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