| Living A Dream: The Story of Taitusi Lutui |
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Imagine growing up and watching your older brothers play the rugged, rough sport of football, and telling yourself that you're going to be a professional football player. How about keeping a diary in elementary that says something like this: "One day I will play in the NFL, and I'm gonna buy my mom a house." This is only a short, brief description of a goal that Taitusi Lutui had set for himself ever since he was a young boy, growing up in Mesa, Arizona.
From the time he watched his brothers, Samiu and Brooks, play, Taitusi knew that he was destined to play the
The accident not only took his sister's life, but also paralyzed his dad, Inoke, which was kind of hard for the family because their dad was the sole provider for the family ever since he and his wife, Mele, decided to bring the family from the tiny island of Ha'apai, Tonga when Deuce was only an infant. The whole reason behind that so their children can have a better life, here in the United States.
So Deuce's older brothers had to find work to provide for the family, and when he became a teenager, he started to help out. "I was determined to make something of myself because that's what our parents brought us here for, but at the same time, I had to help out with the bills," says Deuce. The determination to accomplish a dream, and still be able to provide for his familly was not an easy task, but he was focused.
Deuce went on to star at Mesa High School, making a name for himself as a two-way player on the offensive and defensive line, garnering accolades such as All-State, All-Conference, and All-Region as a junior in 2000. He finished his senior year with the same, plus many other honors for his fine play on the gridiron, therefore attracting colleges awaiting with scholarships.
In the spring of 2002, he signed with the University of Utah, but was academically ineligible. He then spent his freshman year in college, attending and playing for local Mesa Community College. "After our coach got fired, I decided to transfer to Snow Junior College for recruiting purposes," Deuce said. Snow is located in tiny Ephraim, Utah, and it consists of about 4,000 people, according to the 2000 year census. It was also here that Deuce holds a special remembrance in his heart because this is where he endured grueling struggles that gave him a more appreciation of life, and also the meeting of his future
Football was always second nature to Deuce because he was blessed with a natural ability that gave him a slight edge. Not to mention that he also had the size (6'6" 375 lbs.) It was his grades that needed the extra attention so he can make it to the Division 1 level. Enter the former Miss Puanani Heimuli, and currently Mrs. Pua Lutui. They had met in Feb. 2003, and started dating when their older siblings, Brooks Lutui and Crystal Heimuli, got married in Aug. 2003.
It wasn't really that she helped out with his homework, but more importantly, she was there for Deuce, and became his biggest support at Snow. "It was so easy to provide for him because he never asked for anything," says Pua. "When I first met him, he didn't have anything, and he never expected anything. So I took it upon myself to take care of him, and that made it easier for me to spoil him. Most of my financial aid went to buying him food and clothes. He had to scrub floors to get something to eat. It's always easier to give to someone who never asks."
Pua had enrolled in the fall of 2003, joining her older sister, Taina, at Snow, while Deuce was trying to complete his sophomore year. "I would stay up with him at night while he would finish his schoolwork or help him study," Pua remembers. It helped out because he was able to end his sophomore year with not only a 3.0 GPA, but an Associate's Degree, and scholarship offers pouring in with some of the top Division 1 college programs in the nation like South Carolina, Nebraska, Arizona, Arizona State, USC, and BYU, to name a few.
Deuce not only took care of his books, but due to his play on the field, he became one of the top junior college prospects in the nation after earning National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) All-American first team at Snow. After some thoughts and talking it over with family, Deuce accepted a scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC). "I picked USC because of their rich tradition in football, and they have a chance to play for a national championship," Deuce recalls.
In 2004, before he left to USC, Deuce and Pua got married in July. She stayed behind with her parents while he went on to southern California, still focused on his dream. At USC, he adjusted well as he earned the starting right tackle position, protecting that season's Heisman award winner, close friend and current teammate Matt Leinart's blind side, and started every game. On January 4, 2005, USC routed the University of Oklahoma Sooners to capture the national title. The team was filled with so much talent, and had many future NFL prospects that it became arguably one of the greatest college teams ever.
After the game, though, Deuce didn't have much time to celebrate because his wife was in labor with their first child. "I had to beg Norm Chow to get back to Utah because my wife was about to have our baby," recalls Deuce. Norm Chow, of course, is the offensive guru, known for producing not only USC's offense, but many other offenses around the country, and a family friend. He is currently the Tennessee Titans' offensive cooridnator.
Deuce was able to fly back the following day, and on January 5, 2005, Deuce and Pua, welcomed their first newborn, Inoke Liuaki Moe Hau Lutui. Ironically, Liuaki Moe Hau means "Return A Champion" in Tongan because his dad had returned a national champion. The following month, Pua and Inoke would join Deuce at USC, and provide a great supporting cast. "It was important for us to be there for him while he attended school," says Pua.
When they moved in, it was a great struggle for the couple, and the words comfort zone was not anything that
Entering his senior year in the fall of 2005, Deuce was moved to offensive guard, and along with Fred Matua, formed one of the best one-two punch at the position. "Just like Reggie Bush and Lendale White were known as "Thunder and Lightning," I feel that Fred and I were quietly the same tandem," says Deuce. He's referring to arguably the best running back duo in the nation, if not, all-time. Bush, a first round pick of the New Orleans Saints, and White, currently of the Tennessee Titans, created a serious problem for opposing defenses, especially the defensive coordinators trying to devise a plan to stop them.
Deuce and Fred also accomplished a feat not many college players achieved: they were able to pave the way for two back-to-back Heisman award winners. Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush became the first pair of college teammates to win the highest honor in college football in consecutive years; Matt doing it after the 2004 season, and Reggie achieving it after the 2005 season. Deuce and Fred were also awarded by receiving First Team All-American honors.
USC had many Polynesians student-athletes on their team, and when asked about their camaraderie, Deuce replied: "We feel that we had a dynasty at SC, so being Polynesian became second hand. We were a diverse team, and we hung out as a team first. Not that it took away from our kava nights. Matt and Reggie would take us linemen out to eat after the games, and to this day, Matt still spoils me, joking that I'm his guardian." On April 29, 2006, all of his hard work and struggles paid off when his name was called on draft day. He was chosen as the 41st pick overall by the Arizona Cardinals, the team he grew up admiring. "I remember going to the Cardinals game as a young boy, and watching them play Deion Sanders and the Dallas Cowboys when the rivalry was big," says Deuce. "I was very shocked because I had no idea the Cardinals were even considering me. I had visited other teams before the draft like the Tampa Bay Bucs, and I was expecting to get picked by them. It means alot coming back home, and I don't take it for granted. It also motivates me to always remember where I came from." says Deuce.
It was an emotional day for not only Deuce and Pua, but also his parents and his siblings. For Pua, she was there when her husband needed her, and it goes with the saying "Behind every great man, there's a great woman" and vice versa, but to them, they're just lucky to have each other. For his parents, it's another reminder why they brought their kids to the United States.
After being drafted, Deuce played in 15 games as a rookie, and started the final nine games of the season, once again blocking for his college teammate Matt Leinart. On November 19, 2006, just before a win against the Detroit Lions, Deuce and Pua welcomed their second child, Melenani Talavou Lutui. Her first name being composed of the first names of the couple's mother, and her middle name is the first word out of Deuce when he saw her, which means "beautiful" in Tongan.
Now with a lifelong dream accomplished, Deuce can relax, as he provides for his family doing something he's loved his whole life, and something he's good at. Earlier this year, he also purchased his mom her house, just like he had said in his diary when he was in elementary school. He also left USC a semester short of receiving his degree in psychology, which he plans on finishing. "I want to go back and get my degree, and work with kids. I'm thinking of becoming a couselor because I know football won't last forever," says Deuce.
So we leave you as Taitusi "Deuce" Lutui continues his sophomore season in the NFL, playing for his hometown team, the Arizona Cardinals. He will someday sit back and share his struggles with his kids, and is a perfect example of anything in life is possible, if you put your heart into it. He shares his message: "It helped out that I grew up in a religious household. My parents always taught us the importance of praying, and honoring them. They brought you to this earth for a reason, and by obeying them, you will live a long, prosperous life."
Editor's note: Special thanks goes out to Taina Heimuli, Pua Lutui, and last but not least, thanks to Taitusi "Deuce" Lutui for sharing your story with the Voice of Tonga. You have overcome monstrous obstacles, but never gave up, on achieving a goal you set for yourself.
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