49’ers Mike Iupati living his Dream

 September 7th, 2010  zealot

In bold print across Mike Iupati’s official Web site homepage is a motto, so many will recite, but few may actually realize. Picked 17th in the first round of the illustrious NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers, surrounded by his loved ones, he took what is the biggest step of his life.
Aside from the accolades and accomplishments of a decorated college football career, his is the story of a young man, whose humble beginnings, struggles and hard work earned him a coveted place in one of the most watched sporting events, and a place among the elite Polynesian athletes in the league.

In a telephone interview early Tuesday morning from his home in Anaheim, Calif., Iupati shared with Samoa News a glimpse of what has made him the person he is today.

Born on May 12, 1987, to Aposetolo Iupati of Nu’uuli and Belinda “Linda” Wong Kee Iupati of Salelologa, Savaii, Iupati spent the first 14 years of his life in American Samoa. A student at Lupelele Elementary and Junior High School, he played all the typical sports that youngsters kept active in: samoan cricket, touch rugby and sports that kids just made up to have fun.

It wasn’t until his family relocated to the United States that he took up football. Iupati’s parents wanted more for their children: a better education and future. Once he found football in high school, he loved it and took advantage of what he could learn of it.

While many youngsters looked up to role models to emulate, Iupati said he didn’t really have any.

“I was very self-motivated and very competitive. My family also motivated me to do better and to succeed.” He admired the big Polynesian athletes that had made it to the NFL, but said he really relied on himself and pretty much did his own thing.

That self reliance and motivation helped him get through college, at the University of Idaho. The biggest challenge he faced was the language barrier. “They had their own football language, which took time to grasp” he told Samoa News. But as time passed, Iupati was able to pick up the language and begin to excel on and off the football field.

Surrounded by his family, and agents, when the news broke that he was going to San Francisco, he described the moment as “amazing.”

He thanked the Lord, that all his hard work had paid off in the end. “I worked hard to get into the NFL, but now that I’m in the league, I have to work even harder to stay in there!”

In an interview with Iupati’s mother, Belinda, affectionately known as “Linda”, she said she was so excited when the announcement was made. The media was there to capture the moment for them. She said her phone has been ringing off the hook, just as much as her son’s! At the time of the Samoa News interview, CNN was waiting on the other line to talk to her. Belinda expressed how happy and blessed they are with their son’s achievement.

Iupati sees himself as a role model for the youth, and knows that many youngsters, along with their parents will look up to him as a son of American Samoa, who has made his dreams come true.

He stated: “I want to set an example, to always be positive and do the right thing. It is an honor coming from American Samoa, and going through the struggles our family had to make it in the United States, and yet I made it!”

“Nothing is given to you, you have to go out and take it! It’s a great blessing to have great family support,” he said. “Just have faith in the Lord, be humble and never forget where you come from!”

Iupati also feels strongly that the Samoan culture plays a big role in why a large percentage of Samoan players are being drafted to the NFL.

“For many high school football athletes, this is their ticket to leave American Samoa. If students are not able to get into universities right away, they’ll attend Junior colleges first and work their way up. They are very competitive. It’s in their blood. A lot of coaches like their discipline, respect and competitiveness. They have all the tools a coach needs and looks for in a player and why a lot of Polynesian and Samoan players succeed in football. If school is there, then their college football careers will also be just as successful. It’s a matter of balancing the two.”

Hard work is the key to success. Encouraging those young football players here in American Samoa who have dreams of someday playing in the NFL, Iupati says to keep working hard, because hard work pays off.

Of his own efforts to get where he is today, he said that coming from American Samoa has made him humble, and he will never forget where he came from. “Our family had everything in American Samoa, but in California, my family struggled from paycheck to paycheck.”

His parent’s sacrifices along with his own have been well worth the struggles faced. “Take it one step at a time. Don’t shoot straight for the stars! Set your goals, have faith in the Lord, and I promise you, it will lead you down the right path. Use your parents as motivation. Be self-motivated and you too will accomplish your dreams!”

Following the draft announcement, Iupati flew out the next day to attend the official Press Conference in San Francisco, and meet the 49er’s management and coaching staff.

This coming Thursday, April 29, Iupati will fly out again to attend Rookie camp. After a week and half off, following Rookie camp, he will achieve yet another important milestone in his life; graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in General Education from the University of Idaho. Following his graduation, Iupati heads to training camp.

When asked what he as a person will bring to the 49er’s team Iupati was emphatic.

“I will bring great character and leadership and be a very physical player, just as I did in college,” he said. “It will be a fun experience and I’m looking forward to it!”

He also hopes to stay in the league for as long as he can.

“To ensure my longevity, I have to stay healthy, minimize injury, be a student of the game, and be smart on and off the field,” Iupati says. The longer he stays in the league, the more he’ll be able to give back to his family and his parents. While he does not know how much he will be making as of yet, those details being taken care of by his agents, he wants to help take care of his family as much as he can.

Iupati met fellow American Samoa NFL players Domata Peko, Rey Maualuga and Jonathan Fanene in Cincinatti before the draft.

“It was an honor to meet them! They are such great people.” He hopes to be able to collaborate with them in the near future for a visit to American Samoa.

Aposetolo and Belinda Iupati have been his biggest cheerleaders and supporters. “We are a very tight family. My mom is a tough but loving person. And when we get out of line, she still disciplines us! But my siblings and I are very blessed at how she raised us. I’m so very happy, and now it’s my turn to keep them happy.”

Mike Iupati is “living a dream”, his dream.

“This is just something that everyone dreams of. I know I was meant to do this. With my size, I was blessed to do this, to play football. If you have the right frame of mind and common sense to the do the right thing, everything else will fall into place,” he says.

By M. D. Solofa