Reno Mahe

Infobox NFLactive


size=200px
currentteam=Philadelphia Eagles
currentnumber=25
currentposition=Running back
birthdate=birth date and age|1980|6|3
birthplace=Los Angeles, California
heightft=5
heightin=10
weight=212
debutyear=2003
debutteam=Philadelphia Eagles
college=Brigham Young
draftyear=
draftround=
draftpick=
pastteams=
* Philadelphia Eagles (2003-2008)
nfl=MAH283135

Sateki Reno Mahe, Jr. (born June 3, 1980 in Los Angeles, California) is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He spent his whole professional career with the Philadelphia Eagles

High school career

Reno Mahe played football at Brighton High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he was named All-State twice. As a senior, he led his team to a 10-1 record and was chosen as the Gatorade Utah Player of the Year. He also earned team MVP, All-Region, and region MVP honors in his final high school season. He lettered in football three times, and in basketball two times.

College career

As a true freshman in 1998, Mahe had a significant role on the football team at Brigham Young University. He served as backup to star running back Ronney Jenkins. Mahe rushed for 481 yards and scored 7 touchdowns during the season.

After a promising freshman season, Mahe was suspended from BYU for one year because of Honor Code violations. He transferred to Dixie College in St. George, Utah. His only season at Dixie was sensational. He switched from running back to wide receiver, and led the nation in receiving with 57 receptions for 1,387 yards (an average of 24.3 yards per reception) and 19 touchdowns. He was named a Junior College Gridwire Second Team All-American. He led the Western States Football League in receiving and scoring (122 total points) and was named to the All-WSFL First Team.

Mahe returned to BYU for his junior season in 2001. Under first-year coach Gary Crowton, BYU had the highest scoring offense in the nation that year, and Mahe was a big part of the Cougars' success. He started all 14 games at wide receiver, and led the Mountain West Conference in receiving with 91 receptions for 1,211 yards and 9 touchdowns. He was named to the All-MWC First Team. Mahe became a favorite of BYU fans for his heroic efforts in a game against rival Utah. The Monday before the game he had an emergency appendectomy procedure where his appendix was removed with a laser. He still managed to play in the following game with blood running down his shirt. The appendectomy didn't affect his playing ability: he caught 5 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown in BYU's 24-21 victory. When BYU's star running back Luke Staley suffered a season-ending injury against Mississippi State, Mahe stepped up with a season-high 189 receiving yards (and 2 touchdowns) and the Cougars escaped with a 41-38 victory. The following game against Hawaii, Mahe set another season high with 14 receptions for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also filled in at running back, carrying the ball 8 times for 69 yards in Staley's absence. Despite Mahe's efforts, the Cougars lost, 72-45. The defeat shattered BYU's perfect season (they had a 12-0 record before the game against Hawaii).

Mahe's senior season at BYU wasn't as successful. The Cougars finished the season with a losing record, and Mahe's statistics declined. He totaled 59 receptions for 771 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was still good enough to earn All-MWC First Team honors again, and he finished his college career as one of the best receivers in BYU history.

Professional career

Although he was not drafted into the NFL, Mahe joined the Philadelphia Eagles as a rookie free agent and made the team's 2003 Opening Day roster. He switched from wide receiver to his original position, running back. In four seasons with the Eagles, he has seen limited action. He has played in 38 games in his NFL career, rushing 43 times for 178 yards and catching 27 passes for 196 yards. His major contributions for the Eagles have come on special teams. In 2005, he led the NFL in punt returning with 21 returns for 269 yards, an average of 12.8 yards per return. Mahe became a free agent before the 2007 season, but was re-signed to a one year contract after the Eagles' lackluster special teams play led to a loss to the Green Bay Packers in week one of the season. The Eagles elected not to resign him at the conclusion of the season.

Trivia

*His full name is Sateki Reno Mahe, Jr. During his freshman season at BYU, fans knew him as "Junior Mahe" (instead of Reno Mahe).
*Mahe's wife, Sunny, was an All-American volleyball player at BYU.
*Mahe scored a touchdown in his first-ever college football game, a 38-31 BYU loss against Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
*He took on a part-time job at Chickie's and Pete's restaurant in the summer before a training camp. [http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595057833,00.html]
*Mahe is related to professional wrestler The Barbarian. He is also related to ex-Eagle Vai Sikahema.

External links

* [http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/teamRosterDetails.jsp?id=326 Eagles player page]