Geographically, it is the only American land below the equator, but its compass of football passion points firmly upward.
Welcome to American Samoa. The 58,000 people who inhabit its 77 square miles know American citizen privileges as well as America’s favorite sport – football.
With gridiron heroes of American Samoan descent such as Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, New England Patriots linebacker Junior Seau, and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu, more of today’s youngsters on the island can advance themselves in the game’s fundamentals at an earlier age than their NFL role models.
On Feb. 8 in Hawaii, alongside a practice field used by NFL All-Stars preparing for the 2008 Pro Bowl, USA Football and American Samoa representatives forged what may become the most significant partnership that the sport has seen in recent memory.
USA Football, the sport’s national governing body on youth and amateur levels, announced that it will provide equipment, uniforms, its state-of-the-art coaching and officiating online programs, and funding to help American Samoa establish its first youth tackle football league. In addition, the U.S. territory, with guidance from USA Football, will create an American Samoa Federation of American Football (ASFAF). This enables the island to field “national” teams for international competition with the likes of the United States, Germany, Japan, Australia, and the world’s 40 other nations with national football federations.
“This is an island and a culture centered around ‘family,’” says USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck. “There is a strong sense of togetherness, respect for others, sacrificing for the good of the family, and teamwork woven into American Samoan life – these are the very same values found in successful people and winning football programs.
“American Samoa has given the game so much, this is one small way for USA Football to say ‘thank you’ to American Samoa.”
According to a recent ESPN report, there are roughly 500,000 Samoans in the world and more than 200 play Division I football. A Samoan boy, according to estimates, is 40 times more likely to make it to the NFL than a boy from the continental United States. And a recent Washington Post report states that in the last five years, nearly 15 percent of boys playing football at one of American Samoa’s six high schools have earned football scholarships from American universities.
“Back home, there’s raw talent,” says Meki Solomona, president of the American Samoa Federation of American Football, who traveled 2,300 miles to represent his home for the announcement with USA Football. “We do not have the facilities that you have here,” added Solomona. “We do not have the great weight rooms. And until now, we’ve not had tackle football programs from the elementary level to junior high. They start in high school.”
Making the trip with Solomona from American Samoa was ASFAF Senior Vice President Danny Langkilde and ASFAF Executive Committee Member Samoa Samoa.
Solomona’s goal for his homeland’s partnership with USA Football is to provide greater opportunities for American Samoan youngsters to earn scholarships and achieve their dreams. “I want more and more of our kids to further their education,” he said. “I want them to become good citizens. We’re looking at football as a way to get an education. That’s the American Dream – the American Samoa Dream.”
Seattle’s Tatupu, whose father, Mosi, was an American Samoan native and an NFL running back from 1979-90, marvels at the number of American Samoan boys who advance to college football with minimal tackle football experience. “If I had to walk into high school and play (as youngsters in American Samoa do), I don't think I’d be playing football today,” he said. “Those kids over there are so deserving of a shot, an opportunity. I want to thank USA Football and everyone who has had a hand in this.”
