Pio Sagapolutele
American Samoan football player (1969–2009)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pio Alika Sagapolutele (November 28, 1969 – June 7, 2009) was a Samoan professional football defensive tackle who played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cleveland Browns,[2] the New England Patriots, and the New Orleans Saints. He was selected by the Browns in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL draft.[3] He started in Super Bowl XXXI for the New England Patriots. He played college football at San Diego State University.
American Samoa
Chandler, Arizona, U.S.
| No. 75, 99 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positions | Defensive tackle, defensive end | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born | November 28, 1969 American Samoa | ||||||
| Died | June 7, 2009 (aged 39) Chandler, Arizona, U.S. | ||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | ||||||
| Listed weight | 297 lb (135 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| College | San Diego State | ||||||
| NFL draft | 1991: 4th round, 85th overall pick | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
| |||||||
He was born in American Samoa and grew up in Kalihi, Hawaii, where he lived in Kuhio Park Terrace (KPT). He attended Marynoll High school and played football for PAC-5 where they won the state championship in 1985. He had 3 children, Pio Jr, Malia and Sky. Pio died of an aneurysm on June 7, 2009, in Chandler, Arizona, where he lived.[4][5] Following his death his wife sued the National Football League and football helmet maker Riddell Inc. alleging that his death was caused by brain injuries.[6]