By Kiana Caranto
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MHS alumnus and two-time National Football League (NFL) SuperBowl champion Maa Tanuvasa Sr. played both JV and varsity football at MHS; he took from his experience and went on to play football professionally. His son, Freshman Maa Tanuvasa Jr., is a linebacker for the JV football team and it is both of their hopes that he will continue with his career in football and follow in his father’s footsteps.
“I want him just to have fun, enjoy the game, get to meet new friends,” said Maa Tanuvasa Sr., continuing, “As long as he enjoys it, I’ll keep pushing him. Keep making him work hard.”
Maa Tanuvasa Sr. graduated from MHS in 1988. He decided to continue his football career and played for the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He was later drafted by the NFL and played as a defensive end for the Denver Broncos for six seasons. “For him to go to the NFL and
have the career that he had with the Denver Broncos and win two SuperBowls, it was really a great experience,” stated former football coach James Millwood, who coached Maa Tanuvasa Sr. while he played at MHS.
Because he was so successful in his football career, Maa Tanuvasa Sr. had a large influence on his son’s decision to start playing football. “I guess being around football a lot kind of got him into playing the sport, I didn’t force it on him,” explained Maa Tanuvasa Sr. His son agreed and added, “Because my dad did,” when asked why he started playing football.
Even though it’s only Maa Tanuvasa Jr.’s first year playing football at MHS, people have already started to see a resemblance between him and his father. “I see a same humble, hardworking athlete,” said Millwood, continuing, “I wouldn’t put it past him to do what his dad did in football.”
When it comes to the sport, he looks up to his father as a role model and hopes to continue his legacy. “I want to be like him, I want to go to the NFL,” explained Maa Tanuvasa Jr.
Having a father who was a professional football player also works to Maa Tanuvasa Jr.’s advantage. His father gives him advice on subjects ranging from defensive strategies to keeping his grades up. “I tell him if you’re not loving football then it’s probably not the sport for you,” stated Maa Tanuvasa Sr.
The entire Mililani community was proud when Maa Tanuvasa Sr. came back to coach football at his alma mater. “After I was done playing football I wanted to come home and give back and hopefully get some more of our Trojan kids to realize their dreams,” said Maa Tanuvasa Sr. who currently works as a security guard at MHS.
Maa Tanuvasa Jr. plans to use the experience gained from his father to push him to go on to bigger things in football beyond MHS.
