When Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Fili Moala wraps his arms around opponents to make a tackle, the tattoos on his forearms spell out his heritage and pride — “Tonga style.”
“That’s my swagger,” the 24-year-old National Football League rookie said on Tuesday as the Colts and New Orleans Saints met reporters ahead of Sunday’s championship showdown in Super Bowl 44.
Moala’s father and grandfather spent a month on a boat to emigrate from Tonga to the US and US-born Moala still has relatives in the Pacific islands who will cheer for him on Sunday.
“My parents did a lot in giving me the cultural background,” said Moala, who tried rugby as a youth. “There are a lot of Tongan rugby players. The skills translate. We just take to the game I guess.”
A small female television reporter took a lineman’s stance opposite the massive Moala and his Colts teammate Freddy Keiaho, a 27-year-old Fiji-born reserve linebacker, jokingly shouted, “Do a head slap.”
When Keiaho and Moala were asked to dance the Haka, the native Maori dance traditional before New Zealand sports events, Keiaho warned, “Oh no, you don’t want to see the Haka.”
Keiaho has made 44 tackles, two fumble recoveries as well as a quarterback sack this season.
He spent half his pre-teen years in Fiji before his family moved to the US and he followed his older brother into gridiron.
Keiaho has pride in his island heritage.
“It’s a magic community,” Keiaho said. “When you see islanders out here, you know they are doing something great.”
Colts receiver Sam Giguere of Canada, who made five kick returns in a snowstorm during a season-ending loss at Buffalo, wore sunglasses and was looking forward to seeing the Vancouver Winter Olympics, which open next week.
“I’ve got tickets to a couple of hockey games,” he said.
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