Highlights
- Sione Vaki is a Polynesian-American football player for the Detroit Lions, who was born to Piuleini Vaki and the late Oto’ota Vaki.
- He has Polynesian roots and was even a finalist for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award.
- His mother’s passing and her final wishes greatly influence his career and personal life.
Sione Vaki, the versatile rookie running back for the Detroit Lions, proudly carries his Polynesian heritage onto the football field.
Born to Piuleini Vaki and the late Oto’ota Vaki, Sione’s Polynesian roots run deep, shaping his character both on and off the gridiron.
The football player grew up as the youngest of 11 children in a close-knit Polynesian family.
His mother, Oto’ota, was described by Sione as “a woman of no complaints,” who worked tirelessly as a caregiver at an assisted living facility.
Her strong work ethic and resilience left an indelible mark on young Sione.
A Mother’s Legacy
Tragically, Oto’ota Vaki passed away from cancer in 2016.
Before her departure, she expressed two final wishes for Sione: to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to attend college.
These requests would become driving forces in Vaki’s life and career.
“I think of her every day, to be honest,” Vaki shared. “I want to be able to see her again, so it’s about giving my all while I’m here, that’s mentally, physically and spiritually.”
Polynesian Pride On The Field
Sione Vaki’s Polynesian heritage is not just a part of his personal life; it’s also recognized in his athletic achievements.
During his college career at the University of Utah, he was named a finalist for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award, highlighting his status as one of the top players of Polynesian descent in college football.
Take it away, @sione_vaki 🎤 pic.twitter.com/pccLqdkLI0
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 22, 2024
Interestingly, his Polynesian background may have contributed to another of his talents – singing.
After a video of Vaki singing went viral, Lions head coach Dan Campbell described his voice as “pretty phenomenal.”
This aligns with observations from fans, with one Reddit user noting,
“Every Polynesian person I know has a baseline great singing voice, it’s insane.”
Another commenter suggested, “No shade it probably comes from singing in church. Most of the players I knew that were Samoan/Polynesian played instruments as well.”
Carrying On Polynesian Traditions
Vaki’s journey from Antioch, California to the NFL is all thanks to his Polynesian values of hard work, family dedication, and spiritual commitment.
He fulfilled both of his mother’s final wishes, serving a mission that took him to Tonga and Utah, and attending college at the University of Utah.
“It’s always about the team. You are never going to be able to do it by yourself in life. You learn that in the gospel as well as in football,” Vaki said, reflecting the communal values often associated with Polynesian culture.
As Sione continues to make his mark in the NFL, he carries with him the strength of his Polynesian heritage, the memory of his mother, and the support of his large family.
Just So You Know
- Sione Vaki was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round (132nd overall) of the 2024 NFL draft.
- He attended Liberty High School in Brentwood, California, where he showcased his versatility by playing on both offense and defense.
- After high school, Vaki embarked on a three-year mission trip before playing two seasons of college football at Utah. He then declared for the 2024 NFL draft.
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