SAMOANS AND FOOTBALL

Imagine you're an NFL GM looking to upgrade your roster. Conventional wisdom would say to concentrate your efforts on the College powerhouses like Florida, USC, Ohio State, Michigan, Texas, Etc. But over the last few years a new powerhouse has emerged. The island of American Samoa now sends more players to the NFL than any other place in the U.S. There are approximately 40 current NFL players with roots in American Samoa, rivaling the count of players from the aforementioned NCAA powerhouses. With their massive size, speed, ability, and heart, Samoans are 56 times more likely to play in the NFL than an average American. American Samoa has become to the NFL what the Dominican Republic is to Major League Baseball. The list includes future hall of famers like Jr. Seau and Troy Polamalu; other active players like Domata Peko, Lofa Tatupu, Rey Maualuga; and current college stars in Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli and ND linebacker Manti Te'o.

Yesterday 60 minutes had a great piece on this inspiring island and football breeding ground:







There's even All-Poly football camp that has become a recruiting hotbed, check it out here.

Lastly, check out the Haka Samoan Dance here...