2008 Woodie Awards
A Family Thing
For these Monarch athletes, family is just as imporant as football.
Maggie Owenby and Sam Hahn
Issue date: 11/24/04 Section: Sports
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Monarchs football players, Laumoli Faleafaga and his Kirifi Ofaglilo share their love of family, the dream of playing in the National Football League and the loss of their fathers at an early age.
The players made their way from Samoa to California to play football for Valley College.
At a family reunion, both families came together. Faleafaga was surprised to see Ofagalilo arrive.
When Faleafaga's mother asked how he knew Ofagalilo, Faleafaga confidently answered, "He's my best friend."
They both have a tough exterior but their strength of character is as powerful off the field as it is on. When it comes to their family, both Faleafaga and Ofagalilo aren't afraid to show their sensitive sides.
Both Faleafaga's and Ofagalilo's mothers formed a sisterly bond as they were alone, struggling to take care of their kids and work at the same time. Together, they found strength in each other.
"It's the same thing Kirifi and I are doing right now," said Faleafaga.
"I'm from a family I really respect and [that] part of our culture is the most important thing," Faleafaga added.
After hearing their older brothers rave about winning a state championship, Faleafaga and Ofagalilo decided to try football for themselves, getting a chance in their senior year as Ofagalilo was named offensive player of the year as their team made it to the state championship game.
When they heard about Samoans that made it to the NFL, such as Miami Dolphin's linebacker Junior Seau, and Oakland Raider quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo, they both became motivated to achieve that level of greatness.
"That's what makes us want to play more and more," said Faleafaga.
The two decided to come to the United States because there were no college football programs in their home of Pago, Pago.
Their opportunity came when College of the Canyons' defensive coordinator Leon Criner received a tape made by Faleafaga and Ofagalilo's high school coach.
The players made their way from Samoa to California to play football for Valley College.
At a family reunion, both families came together. Faleafaga was surprised to see Ofagalilo arrive.
When Faleafaga's mother asked how he knew Ofagalilo, Faleafaga confidently answered, "He's my best friend."
They both have a tough exterior but their strength of character is as powerful off the field as it is on. When it comes to their family, both Faleafaga and Ofagalilo aren't afraid to show their sensitive sides.
Both Faleafaga's and Ofagalilo's mothers formed a sisterly bond as they were alone, struggling to take care of their kids and work at the same time. Together, they found strength in each other.
"It's the same thing Kirifi and I are doing right now," said Faleafaga.
"I'm from a family I really respect and [that] part of our culture is the most important thing," Faleafaga added.
After hearing their older brothers rave about winning a state championship, Faleafaga and Ofagalilo decided to try football for themselves, getting a chance in their senior year as Ofagalilo was named offensive player of the year as their team made it to the state championship game.
When they heard about Samoans that made it to the NFL, such as Miami Dolphin's linebacker Junior Seau, and Oakland Raider quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo, they both became motivated to achieve that level of greatness.
"That's what makes us want to play more and more," said Faleafaga.
The two decided to come to the United States because there were no college football programs in their home of Pago, Pago.
Their opportunity came when College of the Canyons' defensive coordinator Leon Criner received a tape made by Faleafaga and Ofagalilo's high school coach.
