Fanene Captains World Team

Fanene (left) with Mosi Tatupu (center) and brother Aiulua Fanene. (IFAF photo)

A week after 60 Minutes on CBS opened the nation’s eyes to the fact that American Samoa is fast becoming a production line for NFL talent, the Bengals’ own Jonathan Fanene was encouraging the next generation of young players from ‘the rock’ to make their mark on the game in South Florida.

Immediately following the AFC and NFC practices ahead of the 2010 NFL Pro Bowl, a 45-player roster representing ‘the World’ took on Team USA in USA Football’s Team USA vs. The World Game, presented by Riddell at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Bengals defensive lineman Fanene was an Honorary Captain for the World team that featured his younger brother Aiulua among the linebacker corps alongside two other Samoans.

Fanene joined former New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams running back Mosi Tatupu to represent the World team, while former Miami Dolphins center Dwight Stephenson captained Team USA and the group accompanied NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for the pregame coin toss.

“I’m happy to be here to represent American Samoa, support my brother and his teammates and see how the World team fares against Team USA,” said Fanene, who with Domata Peko is one of two American Samoans on the Bengals roster.  “As soon I was asked to come down here, I had no hesitation. I hope I can give them advice on how to have a successful career in college football and the NFL and to enjoy playing football.”

The World team, featuring players from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico and Sweden in addition to American Samoa fared well against a Team USA comprised of 45 high school seniors who have committed to some of the nation’s top college football programs. Down by a touchdown conceded on the stroke of halftime, the World team rallied, but eventually lost 17-0. The margin of defeat was narrower than many predicted and suggested the world in football terms is becoming a smaller place.

“The World team impressed me and with a few more breaks they could have won the game,” said Fanene. “There is clearly a talent pool that exists outside the United States that is improving and growing. I want to thank IFAF (International federation of American Football) for choosing me to be a captain for the World team.”

More information on football internationally and in American Samoa can be found at IFAF.org.

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Stephenson, Tatupu & Fanene Named Honorary Captains for Team U.S.A. vs. the World Game

USA Football, the sport’s national governing body on youth and amateur levels, announced today that Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Miami Dolphins centerDWIGHT STEPHENSON will join former NFL All-Star MOSI TATUPU and Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman JONATHAN FANENE as honorary captains for USA Football’s “Team USA vs. The World” game, presented by Riddell, at Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 12 p.m. ET.

The game will be televised live by NFL Network.

USA Football’s 2010 Junior National Team – 45 of the country’s top high school seniors – will face a World Select team composed of the best players aged 19 and under from outside the United States spanning eight countries on four continents. Showcasing the world’s top high school-aged players from across the globe, the Jan. 30 contest will follow AFC and NFC All-Star practices at Lockhart Stadium. Admission to the NFL All-Star practices and “Team USA vs. The World” game is free of charge.

Stephenson is the honorary captain of USA Football’s Junior National Team (Team USA). Considered among the finest centers in NFL history, the former Dolphin (1980-87) was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. Coached by legends PAUL “BEAR” BRYANT (Alabama) and DON SHULA (Miami Dolphins), Stephenson played in five Pro Bowls (1982-87) and helped the Dolphins advance to two Super Bowls (1982, ’84 seasons). Stephenson and his wife, Dinah, founded The Dwight Stephenson Foundation in 2007 which generates funding for various charitable organizations including The Urban League of Broward County (Fla.).

Tatupu and Fanene, both American Samoan natives, will share honorary captain duties for the World team, which features three American Samoan players including Aiulua Fanene, Jonathan’s younger brother.

Tatupu was the first American Samoan to play in a Pro Bowl (1986). The four-year Southern Cal. letter winner played 14 NFL seasons (1978-91) as a fullback for the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams and was part of the 1986 Patriots team which advanced to Super Bowl XX. Tatupu is the father of Seattle Seahawks standout linebacker LOFA TATUPU.

A veteran of five NFL seasons – all with Cincinnati – Fanene was born in Pago Pago, American Samoa. Fanene played in all 16 games for the AFC North champion Bengals this season, registering a career-high 36 tackles, 6.0 sacks, and an interception which he returned 45 yards for a touchdown.

Calling the action on Jan. 30 for NFL Network’s live 12 p.m. ET telecast will be RICH EISEN, DEION SANDERS, and SCOTT KENNEDY. Sideline reporter STACEY DALES will contribute on-field insight.

For more on USA Football's "Team USA vs. The World" game, presented by Riddell, visit www.usavworld.com.

About USA Football: USA Football, the sport 's national governing body on youth and amateur levels, hosts more than 80 football training events annually offering education for coaches and game officials, skill development for players and resources for youth football league commissioners. The independent non-profit is the official youth football development partner of the NFL, its 32 teams and the NFL Players Association. USA Football also manages U.S. national teams within the sport for international competitions. Endowed by the NFL and NFLPA in 2002 through the NFL Youth Football Fund, USA Football (www.usafootball.com) is chaired by former NFL team executive Carl Peterson.

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Three Players From American Samoa Will Represent "The World" vs Team USA

American Samoa’s three picks to the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) World Team that will face Team USA in an official Pro Bowl Week event Jan. 30 are thankful for being selected and ready to represent the territory in the match that will air on the NFL Network.

Beck Coulter, 18, Aiulua Fanene, 17, and David Katina, 17, have been named to the IFAF World Team led by Head Coach Jan Jenmert, head coach of Sweden’s junior national football team.

Team USA, USA Football’s 2010 National Junior Team is headed by Chris Merritt, head coach of Miami Christopher Columbus High School.

The teams are set to play Jan. 30 at Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

The game features USA Football’s 2010 Junior National Team and a World Select team comprised of players and coaches spanning four continents, says the IFAF. Team USA includes America’s top high school football student-athletes.

Presenting sponsor of the match is Riddell, which provides the official helmet of the NFL.

“Being part of this game is important to us,” said Riddell President Dan Arment in an IFAF media statement issued this week. ”Americans know how football brings people and communities together and the sport has done that for generations...Riddell is proud to be associated with this game and USA Football.”

He says USA Football’s ‘Team USA vs. The World’ game shows “the global passion for football’s excitement and team-first values with athletes and coaches spanning 12 nations.”

Beck Coulter

Current School/Club: Trinity (TX) Community College     

Country: American Samoa
Height: 6-2 | Weight 240 lbs.
#TBD | Position: LB

Beck Coulter, 18, son of Robert (Bob) and Tagiilima (Lima) Coulter of Leone arrived in Round Rock, Texas, yesterday (he returned to Texas Sunday), after spending the holidays on-islan. Beck, an outside linebacker for the Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) Cardinals.

“I am thankful for the opportunity...I was surprised...I’m just going to play hard to represent our country,” he told Samoa News.

The tsunami of Sept. 29, 2009 happened months ago, yet Beck, whose family lost their home, with relatives having to swim for their lives — dedicates his performance Jan. 30 “to all those who lost their loved ones in the tsunami.”

“May God be with us in that game,” he prays. Beck was in Texas when the tsunami hit. Five days after the tragedy, when the Cardinals played Navarro, his teammates, joined Beck and fellow Cardinal Isaac Puapuaga, to perform a ‘haka’ in honor of the Samoans.

Beck will leave Texas for Florida this week. Possibly three of his family members, including his mom Lima and little brother Cameron Coulter are traveling to Florida for the game.

Beck is a 2009, Leone High School graduate. TVCC, where he is a first-year student, is located in Athens in the Lone Star state. It is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Head Football Coach at TVCC is Brad Smiley, according to the school’s Web site tvcc.edu.

“We’re on a mission to do the best for our island,” said Beck.

Tavita Katina

Current School/Club: Marist High School   
Country: American Samoa
Height: 6-2 | Weight 235 lbs.
#44 | Position: LB

In an interview with Samoa News, yesterday, David Katina, the third child of Pastors David and Debbie Katina, says he was shocked and thankful.

“I was very shocked and very thankful to be selected as one of the top players in the World,” David said, “...ever since I found out about it, I pushed myself to work harder than before because this is a big opportunity for me.”

David is a senior at Kanana Fou High School but plays for Fa’asao Marist High School, led by Principal and Head Coach Victor Langkilde. He played in a number of games for the Cougars throughout the season, and was named the Defensive Player of the Week in the second week of ASHAA football.

He is a defensive end and outside linebacker for the Marist Crusaders and is known for his hard efforts on the field — sacking quarterbacks and stopping running plays behind the line of scrimmage.

“My parents are very excited about it, as well as my brother and sisters,” David said. “I already have some family flying over to Florida to watch my game, and to come see me play”.

Katina says a number of colleges are lining up for him.

He is leaning more toward the University of Hawaii, led by Head Coach Greg McMackin.

“But we had some good offers from the University of Arizona, Oregon State, the University of Oregon, and the University of Tennessee,” Katina noted.

David has been selected to play the Defensive End position, as well as Outside Linebacker for the World Team. He played on American Samoa’s International Team that routed the Australia U-19 Outback Squad 49-6, Jan. 2, 2010.

“I would first of all want to thank our Heavenly Father for his everyday blessings upon me and my family as well as my friends — a special thanks to my parents for supporting me, and for pushing me to become a better individual...to my brother and sisters for being such great supporters during my games.”

He also thanks Ben and Josh of the Langford family, and the Tuiasosopo family.

“I would also like to thank our Kanana Fou High School Principal Rev. Iasepi Ulu and the teachers and coaches for getting me through rough times to where I am now,” David said, “and for teaching me how to be prepared for the real world after I graduate.”

 
Aiulua Fanene

Current School/Club: Tafuna High School     

Country: American Samoa
Height: 6-5 | Weight 280 lbs.
#TBD | Position: DL

Samoa News also had the opportunity to talk to Tafuna High School’s Aiulua Fanene, senior offensive guard and defensive end for the Warriors. He said he “feels great” about being selected and calls it a “blessing.”

“I feel great, this is an opportunity that most players are looking for, and I guess it was just a blessing to be amongst the best in the World,” said Aiulua who was featured alongside his big brother Jonathan Fanene — on the CBS 60 Minutes segment “American Samoa: Football Island.”

Aiulua is the tenth child of David and Anna Fanene of Nu’uuli and Malaeimi.

He is a senior at Tafuna High School. He was a starting offensive guard for the American Samoa All Star team that beat Hawaii 23-20 in the 2010 Samoa Bowl VII, Jan. 1, 2010.

Samoa News asked Aiulua on the position that he has been selected to play for.

“They are putting me at offensive guard and defensive end,” he said. “I have worked hard ever since I knew about the selection, and I have worked myself into new and better techniques on the line.”

He thanks his parents for their efforts in pushing him to become a better person.

“I want to thank my parents for their hard efforts in pushing me to become the better person, and to teaching me how to be patient and supportive,” said Aiulua. “I also want to thank my teachers in Tafuna High School for pushing me beyond the limit of expectations, education -wise, and to my coaches for helping me work toward my goal.”

David and Aiulua depart the island Thursday for Florida.

Kick-off is set for 12 p.m. Eastern Time. The game will air after AFC and NFC All-Star practices in Lockhart Stadium and both events are free of charge. NFL Network will televise the game.
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