Pio Alika Sagapolutele (November 28, 1969 – June 7, 2009) was a Samoan professional football defensive tackle who played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cleveland Browns,[2] the New England Patriots, and the New Orleans Saints. He was selected by the Browns in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL draft.[3] He started in Super Bowl XXXI for the New England Patriots. He played college football at San Diego State University.
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| Position: | Defensive tackle Defensive end | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | November 28, 1969 American Samoa | ||||||
| Died: | June 7, 2009 (aged 39) Chandler, Arizona, U.S. | ||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 297 lb (135 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| College: | San Diego State | ||||||
| NFL draft: | 1991 / round: 4 / pick: 85 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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He was born in American Samoa and grew up in Kalihi Hawaii he lived in Kuhio Park Terrance (KPT). He attended Marynoll High school and played football for PAC-5 where they won the state championship in 1985. He had 3 children, Pio Jr, Malia and Sky. Pio died of an aneurysm on June 7, 2009, in Chandler, Arizona, where he lived.[4][5] Following his death his wife sued the National Football League and football helmet maker Riddell Inc. alleging that his death was caused by brain injuries.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Transactions". NFL.com. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
- ^ "Former Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Pio Sagapolutele dead at age 39". Browns. June 8, 2009. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
- ^ "1991 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
- ^ Sagapolutele, Pats Super Bowl team starter, dead Archived 2009-06-11 at the Wayback Machine Associated Press
- ^ "Former Patriots DT Pio Sagapolutele dies at the age of 39". New England Patriots. June 8, 2009. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
- ^ "Widow of Pio Sagapolutele is suing NFL & Riddell over 'wrongful' death". Samoa News. February 27, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2022.