Quotes about Miami's UH rookies and their Samoan connection

http://www.miamiherald.com/616/story/114556.html

About how Samoans consider themselves a warrior class of people, Reagan said:
"We're a little different breed. I really don't know how to explain it, but coaches see it." (MH)


About their 4 Samoan rookies, Cam Cameron said:
"What we've seen in these guys is that spirit of enthusiasm and that pride. When they step onto the football field they know they represent someone bigger than themselves. And that's important. We believe in that. We believe you play for something bigger than yourself, obviously the team. I think they play for family and have a lot of pride." (MH)


Happy to have 2 UH teammates and another Samoan rookie from Utah, Tala said:
"It's awesome having two teammates and another guy from American Samoa here, because then hopefully [Miami] will get a feel of how close we are -- Polynesians -- because we're very family-oriented. Hopefully, guys will see that and it will rub off." (MH)


About how they have gone from 19 of 105 players of Polynesian descent when he joined UH to 76 under him, JJ said:
"I think the numbers show that there is some real truth and value to having this culture on your team. The kids are very respectful by nature, and the Polynesian families respect their elders." (MH)

Note: MH also points out that before JJ, UH hadn't had a player drafted in 11 years!


About how Seau was idoloized by Samoans, Reagan said:
"Growing up, we didn't know organized football. Everyone just wanted to be Junior Seau. Even if you were playing quarterback you were Junior Seau." (MH)


About how he gets angry when people pull his hair during games, Samson said:
"I'm like the Hulk." (MH)


JJ says that Tala is the 4 Samoan rookies natural leader, and added:
"Esera should have been drafted because he's certainly good enough. He was just a little sick during the [scouting] combine." (MH)


Happy to be drafted by Miami, Reagan said:
"I wasn't supposed to be here. I'm just so grateful. This is what I've dreamed of, being a part of this." (MH)


About how he called JJ to ask if he could walk on to UH, Reagan said:
"I just built up the nerve to call Coach [June] Jones. I took it upon myself to walk onto the team. I told [Jones] not to give me a scholarship if I didn't earn it. I wanted to earn it." (MH)

MH Note: "Mauia, who says he 'dinked around in high school' before dedicating himself to football, wasn't even recruited by Hawaii. While playing junior college football in California, he fell in love with Hawaii's program after watching a video entitled Polynesian Power, a documentary narrated by "The Rock" about football in the islands. After watching the film, Mauia, born in American Samoa but raised in Stockton, Calif., was inspired to reconnect with his Polynesian culture."


MH Note: "He first played nose tackle for Jones but the coach moved Mauia to fullback after watching him play rugby one day before practice. Jones now calls Mauia "the most powerful player I've ever coached" and likens him to former NFL fullback Craig "Ironhead" Heyward. It's an interesting comparison considering Mauia once ran headlong through a wall. A homemade video of the feat can be found on YouTube. It's a senseless act of bravado but also serves as a metaphor. In another YouTube video, Mauia screams, "Polynesian wrecking crew," as Esera slams his head through the same wall. "It's all about the warrior's mentality," Mauia said."