ISLAND BALL: Pacific Islands are good at producing pro football players — reality or stereotype?

Posted on 01 April 2010 

Tags: 2010, Vol 29 No 14 | April 3 - April 9

By Jason Cruz
Northwest Asian Weekly

George Malauulu (left) and Ink Aleaga

Three to Look For:
These Pacific Islanders are predicted to be drafted in this April’s National Football League Draft
Mike Iupati — Offensive Guard — University of Idaho
Tyson Alualu — Defensive Lineman — University of California
Daniel Te’o-Nesheim — Defensive Lineman — University of Washington

“It’s in our blood.”

This is how Ink Aleaga, an ex-NFL football player and University of Washington Husky, explains the success of Polynesian football players.

According to a recent report on the CBS television show “60 Minutes,” there are more than 30 Polynesian players in the NFL, and the number expands each year. In addition, there are more than 200 players of Samoan or Polynesian descent in college football.

So what makes young men from the Pacific Islands so prepared to play football? Is it genetics, or is that generalization a stereotype?

http://www.nwasianweekly.com/2010/04/island-ball-pacific-islands-are-good-at-producing-pro-football-players-%E2%80%94-reality-or-stereotype/#more-7417