Feature on Keala Watson

About how they have been visiting a lot of schools to talk with the students, Keala Watson said:
"We've been doing a lot of school talks. It feels like we're on tour or something, about four or five a week. It humbles you when you see yourself in some of the kids and they're looking up at you as something they can aspire to be," Watson said.

HSB Note: "In addition to standing tall in the middle of the Warriors defensive line, Watson is a force in the classroom and community. The All-WAC academic honoree carries a 3.6 GPA in a custom-made, sciences-heavy curriculum of environmental studies specific to Hawaiian issues."

About all of the changes that have gone on during his UH playing career, Keala said:
"I was here for the Timmy Chang era, playing with Lui Fuga and Matt Faga. And another group, Mel Purcell and Kahai LaCount. I've seen a lot of good guys go through. I think it really helped me as a player. We got to pick up a few of the good things from every class that came through. Work ethic, what it takes to win. I think that's what really helped us last year when we actually won the WAC championship. If we can pass that on it's something that can start a tradition of learning and passing on the skills. That's what it takes to build a football program." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Watson spoke Friday between offseason workouts at UH. So much has changed since 2004 -- for the program and for him. George Lumpkin was the defensive coordinator in 2004 now it's Cal Lee (following Jerry Glanville and then McMackin, who is now the head coach). Cooke Field is now Ching Field. The quarterback chain has gone from Chang to Brennan to Who Knows?"

About how Reinbold had the biggest impact on him of his *four* DL coaches at UH, Keala said:
"Jeff Reinebold was really good on key reads and assignments. He had us all being offensive coordinators, breaking down the other team's offense. He was knowledgeable about every play, every read, every scheme. That's why we made a lot of plays. I think he was outspoken because he knew what he was talking about. Everything he said was right. You could see it on film. He would bet with us, 20 pushups, where the ball was going. We'd always end up doing pushups. He knows everything about football, every position." (HSB)

About having 4 position coaches during his Warrior career, Keala said:
"The coaching changes have helped a lot. When you have the same coach for four years, you only learn what that one coach has to offer. From Singletary we learned hard-nosed football. It's something you don't see that much now because there aren't that many of those old-school, hard-nosed coaches. Toughness. Lui and Matt knew what it was." (HSB)

Abotu how Lui Fuga was like a coach on the field, Keala said:
"He held you accountable. He was one of the best leaders I've seen come through the program. Nobody got away with anything. That's the kind of leader I would like to be." (HSB)

About new DL coach Ikaika Malloe, Keala said:
"Ikaika's a players' coach. He's kind of in your face, but he's right alongside you, too. He runs with us. He doesn't ask us to do anything he can't do himself. That earns your respect. That's the kind of coach we need to help push us." (HSB)

About how Keala's teammates have noticed how he works hard and sets an example for the others, Sol said:
"He's a big-time leader for us on and off the field because of many reasons including his work ethic. And he gets a lot of other guys into the weight room. The main reason there's so much respect for him is because he's a great person with a great heart, always looking to do things for his teammates." (HSB)

About playing right out of high school, Keala said:
"My first game I was totally in awe. I felt like a tourist, on vacation. When you're thrown into situations like that when you're young it kind of forces you to pick things up faster, the speed of the game, the technique. It was good, but everything was a fast-forward learning experience so you don't get all your technique. Since then it's been a lot better. Me and Lafu (Tuioti-Mariner, now an offensive lineman) were second string because there were no other D-tackles. We were thrown in the mix and it was kind of a shock. But we got through it. I think it helped us out." (HSB)

HSB Note: "But the playing time as a true freshman season didn't last long. He was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder similar to hemophilia. Watson had to stop playing football or risk bleeding to death from a tiny scratch."

About how he had to stop playing football because of his rare blood disorder, Keala said:
"I didn't know there was such a thing. I went through a lot of tests, a blood specialist on the mainland. I saw about 20 different doctors." (HSB)

About how the players are regular people too, Keala said:
"One of the things some of the fans don't realize is we're humans, like them. We go through struggles and everyone on the team has a story to tell. Being on the team helps us cope with our problems. It's pretty hard to play football here. Two-hour practices in the morning, two-hour meetings in the afternoons. School, homework and stuff. It's a struggle, but it keeps you honest. It keeps you disciplined. It helped me get through a lot of problems I had, with the bleeding condition I have." (HSB)

About his wife Leona, Keala said:
"She understands the sacrifices I have to make to be on the team." (HSB)

About Kela, who she met in high school, Leona said:
"The first thing that caught my eye was that he was spiritual. And he never swore. I liked that." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Their relationship has withstood many tests, including the deaths of Leona's parents just months apart while she and Keala were still in high school."

About how Faith bonds Keala and her, Leona said:
"Our faith has given us the motivation to keep going. We lean on each other, and if we can't do that we lean on our faith." (HSB)

About Keala, Mack said:
"Off the field he is the kindest, gentlest person, with a great sense of humor, and very smart. When he gets on the field he is a big-time aggressive hitter. He's got that same leadership ability Mike Lafaele has." (HSB)