Manumaleuna, Tinoisamoa, Toealna.
Not exactly your Tinkers to Evers to Chance threesome. But they all have something in common. They are all Bears players of Somoan or American-Somoan heritage.
OK, I was happy that the Tribune had a map of the location. I figured somewhere in the Pacific, but had no clue exactly where (southwest of Hawaii).
From the Jan. 15, 2011, Chicago Tribune "Somoans savoring Bears' run" by Gerry Smith.
That would be tight end Brandon Manumaleuna, linebacker Tinoisamoa and Matt Toealna.
You can bet the small group of Somoans in Chicago will be watching the playoff game Sunday and their pride in their players will shine through.
Somoa has a population of about 180,000 and American-Somoa about 65,000. Both suffer from poverty and many have moved away for a better life. There are only 150 in the Chicago area who claim Somoan descent.
The first Somoan to play in the NFL was Al Lolotai in the 1940s. Today, a surprising 30 Somoans play in the NFL with Pittsburgh's star safety Troy Polamalu probably the best-known. The Bears' opponent, the Seahawks have their own Somoan, linebacker Lofa Tatupu.
It is not too hard to locate Somoan players on the field as many have long black hair flowing out of their helmets and jerseys that barely contain their phonetically challenging last names (it sure took me a long time to type the names).
I sure didn't know about all these Somoans playing in the NFL.
Doing the "Siva Afi" the Traditional Somoan Knife Dance (Wonder If It's Like That Maori Haka?) --RoadDog
QUOTES: Santa Claus had the right idea. Visit people just once a year. --Victor Borge
Being an account of some things I'm interested in, what I'm doing, and reflections on my past, especially music.
Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.
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