Feature on John Fonoti

About his hard work and focus on the season, Fonoti said:
"It's going to be my senior year, and I'm trying to do my best, better than I did last year." (HA)

About how he will miss not having David Veikune at DE opposite him, Fonoti said:
"He was like a big idol for me. I'm trying to be like him — his speed rush, his power. I want to get a better work ethic." (HA)

About his mother undergoing chemotherapy to battle cancer, Fonoti said:
"It's a big shock for us. She's always trying to tell us she's OK, that she's getting better. As time goes on, we can see what's really going on." (HA)

About how his mother's cancer makes it difficult to focus sometimes, Fonoti said:
"She's always been with me. I want to be there for her." (HA)

About how everyone has tried to help him deal with the demands on his time, Fonoti said:
"The coaches, the mentors, the tutors have helped me out big time. They work around my schedule." (HA)

About how he didn't lift weights at Farrington High School, Fonoti said:
"I was only in the weight room twice, maybe four times." (HA)

HA Note: "He was on the active roster as a UH freshman in 2005. The next year, he was restricted from participating in football practices or games to focus on academics."

Fonoti said that his redshirt year:
"helped me a lot academically. ... And it got me into the weight room." (HA)

HA Note: "Now Fonoti can bench press 385 pounds and power clean 314 pounds."

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