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- 01Fehi Sevelo
- 02GETTING TO KNOW TONGA TEA JR.
- 03Q & A WITH PAUL FANAIKA
- 04Trinity Trojans Vs Arlington Martin.
- 05Living A Dream: The Story of Taitusi Lutui
- 06Culture and Immigration
- 07Living A Dream: The Story of Taitusi Lutui
- 08Community Experience!
- 09Trinity High School Band
- 10The Story of Siaosi Mahoni
- 11Tonga Makes its Impact ...
- 12Reno Mahe
- 13A Holistic Alliance for Texas
- 14Homecoming!
- 15Foni Pole'o Coming Soon
- »
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| Down to Earth With Reno Mahe |
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While Reno was in elementary school, his parents, Sateki and Eva Mahe, relocated Reno and his seven siblings to Sandy, known as the fifth largest city in Utah. They just happened to move to the rough part of the city in West Valley, so Sateki and Eva would always make Reno's dad saw something in him that would fulfill his wish. Ever since Reno was eight years old, up until his senior year in high school, his dad would take him to football camps all over the country. "I remember going to camps that I didn't want to go to," remembers Reno. Every year his dad would take his vacation from his job during the summer so he would be able to take Reno to his camps, while his wife would stay home with the other kids. Dad would spent his whole vacation on Reno's camps; up to a whole month. They would travel together to other states such as California and Washington, just to name a few. Entering his sophomore year at Brighton High School, Reno had attended six elementary and four middle schools, due to alot of relocating. "Moving around helped me get real close to my family members, and helped me adjust to meeting new people and making new friends," says Reno. It also didn't affect his talent for the game of football, as he started his sophomore year, playing cornerback, on the varsity team. He gained recognition around the state his junior year, and during his senior year, he excelled on both sides of the ball, earning him the honor as Gatorade Utah Player of the Year as the top performer in football for the whole state of Utah. Besides that, he picked up team and region MVP honors. So when it came time for Reno to choose a college to attend, it came down to the two biggest universities in Utah, Brigham Young University (BYU) or University of Utah. "I was always a Utes (the mascot for the University of Utah) since my older brother went there, and I didn't like BYU because that was their rival," Reno says. "The only reason I chose BYU because they offered me a chance to play offense. U of U wanted me to play defense, and I didn't want to." After meeting all of the academic requirements to be admitted to an NCAA school, Reno signed a letter of intent with BYU. In the fall of 1998, as a true freshman, Reno would make an immediate impact on the BYU football team. Even though he was a backup, he still managed 481 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. After the football season  , it was decision time because Reno had to pick between staying and play football or go on his LDS church mission. (In the LDS belief, when boys turn 19, they can go and serve their mission for the church) There were all kinds of pressure from family, friends, and alumnis of BYU, wanting to know what he will do. "I really got caught up in the football world, and decided to play football. To this day, I still regret not going on my mission," admits Reno. His plans for football had to be on hold at BYU because he would later be expelled from the school at end of his freshman season for breaking the school's Honor Code. Disappointed and feeling that he had let alot of people down, he transferred to Utah Valley State College. After the end of the 1999 school year, he attempted to re-enter BYU, but was denied. "They felt like I haven't matured as a person; that I still needed to grow up," Reno said. Instead of accepting Division 1 offers from some of the nation's top programs such as University of Southern California, University of Oregon, and even the University of Maryland, Reno decided to stay in Utah and attend Dixie State College, one of the top junior college programs in the nation. In 2000, his only season at Dixie, Reno not only switched positions to wide receiver, but put up some eye-popping numbers with 57 receptions for 1,387 yards (an impressive average of 24.3 yards per reception), good enough to lead the conference in receiving and scoring (122 points) and earning Junior College Gridwire Second Team All-American. In the Fall of 2001, Reno returned to BYU a more matured person, and vowed to finish what he had started back in 1998. He quickly helped BYU become of the most dangerous offensive teams in the nation, starting all 14 games, and becoming a key threat by producing 91 receptions for 1,211 yards for  the season. One key game that really caught the attention of not only the school, but the nation was the rivalry game against their crosstown rival, the University of Utah. After having an emergency appendectomy removed on Monday November 12, 2001, Reno somehow found the strength and courage to play five days later. For anyone who's had emergency appedectomy, it would take at least a couple of weeks to heal, let alone take part in the physical game of football, with all of the hitting that your body's taking. Not only that, he played a big part in the game with his five receptions for 94 yards, and a key touchdown catch that helped sealed the victory. It was one of the most inspiring stories of the college football season. Reno completed his senior season in 2002 at BYU, and even though he didn't match his production numbers his junior year, he still managed to go down as one of the best receivers in school history. Not bad for someone who was originally recruited as a running back. For his play on the field, Reno was getting recognition from the NFL, and was invited to their annual NFL Combine, an event that gives college athletes the opportunity to showcase their talents to the NFL scouts. After a subpar performance, he was overlooked at the NFL Draft, but was later offered a contract from the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent. He would have a chance to show the Eagles what he can do, and giving hope to the dream that his father had. Entering training camp in 2003, much to Reno's surprise, the Eagles decided to move him to running back, and not making things better, he would be fifth on the depth chart behind the likes of Duce Staley, Brian Westbrook, Correll Buckhalter, and another free agent running back. "Anytime you're fifth on the depth chart, the odds are against you to make the team," says Philadelphia Eagles linebackers coach Bill Shuey, who worked with Reno as the team's quality control coach. "Reno worked really hard as a running back, scout team, and special teams." The Eagles usually keep three running backs on their 53-man roster. Due to Duce Staley's contract disputes, and injuries to the other running backs, Reno was able to see alot of playing time during the preseason, and gave the Eagles plenty of reason why they should keep him on their opening day roster. Not only that, he increased his val  ue by playing special teams. He would make the final roster of the Philadelphia Eagles as a running back, his original position when he started his college career.One person that was surprised by Reno making the roster was former Philadelphia Eagles kick returner and current NBC 10 sports anchor Vai Sikahema. Sikahema, along with Tim Manoa, started the pipeline for Tongans being in the NFL, and is still a high role model for not only Tongans, but Polynesians. He is the reason why the likes of Haloti Ngata of the Baltimore Ravens, and Taitusi Lutui of Arizona Cardinals, just to name a few, strive to succeed in the NFL. "I told him (Reno) that I didn't think he would make the team. It is nearly impossible to switch position from college to the NFL," says Sikahema. "But the thing about Reno is that he's not just great in one thing, he's good in alot of things, and that really helped him out." Reno took advantage of being in the NFL, and it didn't take long before he was a favorite inside the organization; on and off the field. His phone number was mysteriously passed around to new players coming into the team, especially rookies. They would call, and Reno would assist them with general questions like places to eat, live, and getting around town. He accepted it gladly. "Reno was so great to play with, and brought so much enthusiasm to the team," says former Eagles tight end and former teammate Chad Lewis. "He always played with a big heart, and did everything to his best because he enjoyed being on the team. He fits right in with the all-stars on the team because he earned everyone's respect. He was friends with everyone, and he was always seeing how he can help you. (Head) Coach Andy Reid hated getting bumped into on the sideline, but if he knows it's Reno, he doesn't mind because he's always trying to boost the team." After the 2003 and 2004 seasons, Reno would make headlines in Philadelphia by working at a local sports bar and grill in South Philadelphia for $7.50 per hour; this while participating in the team's off-season workout program, and traveling home to his wife, Sunny, and oldest daughter, Evie, in Texas. "I figured that I had some free time so I thought that I would work. I'm really glad because it gave me the opportunity to meet some real interesting people, and became a good way of networking with people," says Reno. He started something that the other players, especially the rookies who weren't making alot of money, saw. "He's very humble and family oriented, and it just showed that he was really trying to do everything to provide for his family," says coach Shuey. "It reflected him being a player because he was great in the locker room. He was always positive, and he showed the younger guy  s how to work hard, and not taking anything for granted."A couple of years ago, his effect on the locker room showed when his teammates picked him to be one of the two representatives of the team to the NFL Player's Union, along with All-Pro safety Sean Dawkins. Not bad when you have superstars like quarterback Donovan McNabb, defensive end Jevon Kearse, and running back Brian Westbrook on the team. The responsibility of the reps is to notify the team of any rule changes, fines, and other league policy changes. "It showed that the players trusted him, and they know that Reno would look out for their best interest," said Chad Lewis. Last year, he took under his wing second year linebacker Pago Tagofau, who like Reno, also entered the league as an undrafted free agent. "Reno made it real comforting for me being on the team. He made it so easy, and simple," said Pago. "He gave me tips on staying in the game, have fun, taking care of my body, and how blessed we are as an NFL player." Before Reno left the Eagles last year, his fifth season on the team, he left Pago something valuable to him and his wife: their main transportation, which was a 1994 Ford Explorer that the couple received as a gift from Sunny's uncle when the couple were still at BYU. In the NFL, the majority of the players' first purchase when they enter is a new vehicle. For Reno, it was about dependability. His Explorer has lasted him this long, so why change? So he passed on the same message to Pago as he upgra  ded to a 2002 Ford Taurus, and just signifies the type of person he is. While he awaits for a call from any team that may need his service, he has moved on to the corporate world as he tries to provide for his family. He also left BYU a semester short of receiving his degree in sociology, and that is one thing he hopes to complete. Out of everything he has accomplished in his young life, Reno credits his wife and his parents. "She (my wife) is the Christ-like person in my life. She has helped me reach my potential and progressed in life" says Reno. "Without her, I would not be able to accomplish what I have. As for my parents, if only I listened to them twice as much, I would be alot better person. They sacrificed alot, especially not being fluent in english, so that my siblings and I can have better lives." (Editor's note: I would like to thank Reno's parents, Sateki, Sr. and Eva Mahe, Chad Lewis, Bill Shuey, Pago Tagofau, Vai Sikahema, Philadelphia Eagles Director of Football Media Services Derek Boyko, and Sunny Mahe for the pictures. You have been a great help, and without you, this article would not be complete. Last but not least, I would like to thank Reno Mahe. You have made a lasting impression on everyone that you come across; from the kids in your church youth, to the rookie trying to adapt to the NFL, to the veteran needing someone to talk to. Like Vai Sikahema said: "He's so respected because he's so accessible to everybody." You are a great example to people of all ages, and I can only imagine what your legacy is when it's all said and done. Thank you for sharing your story with the Voice of Tonga, and it is truly an honor to share your story with everyone. <*><*><*><*><*><*> src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
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