Samoa Samoa

Samoa Sione Samoa (born September 23, 1956) is an American Samoan former player of American football. He was born in Leone, American Samoa, and moved to the mainland United States in ninth grade. He played high school football at Carson High School in Carson, California, and was the quarterback for the South team in the 1976 California Shrine Game played at the Rose Bowl. Samoa played college football at Long Beach City College, earning junior college All-American honors. He then transferred to Washington State University, where he was the Cougars' starting quarterback during the 1980 season. After a strong performance in the Hula Bowl all-star game, Samoa was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the ninth round of the 1981 NFL draft as a running back. He missed the entire 1981 NFL season due to a torn Achilles tendon, and was released before the start of the 1982 season. He later moved back to American Samoa.

Early life Samoa Sione Samoa was born on September 23, 1956, in Leone, American Samoa, and grew up playing rugby. He said that throwing rocks taught him how to throw a football, stating "In Samoa if you want a coconut, you gotta climb a tree or, if you lazy, you pick up a rock and knock down the coconut. I was lazy, so I learn to knock 'em down." Samoa was the quarterback for the South team in the 1976 California Shrine Game played at the Rose Bowl. As a freshman in 1976, Samoa split time with sophomore Greg Hopkins, completing 47 of 123 passes (38.2%) for 852 yards and eight touchdowns. Samoa earned honorable mention All-Metropolitan Conference honors and was also named the team's most promising freshman. He led Long Beach City to an 8–3 record as a sophomore in 1977, garnering team MVP, junior college All-American, and second-team Metropolitan Conference recognition. Samoa was ambidextrous, normally throwing with his left hand but also completed a right-handed pass while at Long Beach City. After his junior college career, Samoa received the most interest from Pittsburgh, Missouri, Kentucky, Washington State, and Washington. Samoa played in four games as the backup to senior quarterback Steve Grant in 1979, completing eight of 17 passes (47.1%) for 105 yards. He was a team captain during his senior year and was named the team's offensive player of the year. Samoa's 11 interceptions were the most in the Pacific-10 Conference that year. Samoa split time with Missouri Tigers quarterback Phil Bradley during the game, completing three passes for 34 yards while also rushing for 45 yards and two touchdowns.

Professional career Cincinnati Bengals owner Paul Brown and assistant general manager Mike Brown took note of Samoa after his performance in the Hula Bowl. Samoa was selected by the Bengals in the ninth round, with the 230th overall pick, of the 1981 NFL draft. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on August 25, 1981. During the 1982 preseason, Samoa tried to make the team as a backup fullback.

Personal life After his NFL career, Samoa spent some time coaching high school football in Southern California. He was inducted into Long Beach City College's athletics hall of fame in 2007. Shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, Samoa and his wife went to Seattle to visit their children. However, as a result of the pandemic, Samoa could not return to American Samoa. He decided to stay in Seattle permanently.