Joe Salave'a

NFLretired
name=Joe Salave'a


position=Defensive Tackle
number=95
birthdate=birth date and age|1975|3|23
Leone, American Samoa
debutyear=1998
finalyear=2006
draftyear=1998
draftround=4
draftpick=107
college=Arizona
teams=
* Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1998-2001)
* Baltimore Ravens* (2003)
* San Diego Chargers (2003)
* Washington Redskins (2004-2006):*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
stat1label=Tackles
stat1value=119
stat2label=Sacks
stat2value=7.5
stat3label=Interceptions
stat3value=0
nfl=SAL179616

Joe Fagaone Salave'a (pronEng|sah-lah-VAY-uh) (born March 23, 1975 in Leone, American Samoa) is an American football defensive lineman in the National Football League who is a free agent. Standing 6'3" and 317 pounds, he primarily plays defensive tackle.

High School Years

Salave'a moved to Oceanside, California near San Diego, in 1989, and graduated from Oceanside High School.

College Years

Salave'a attended the University of Arizona and was a student and a letterman in football. In football, he was a three-year starter and a two-time All-Pacific Ten Conference selection.

NFL career

He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the 1998 NFL Draft. He spent five seasons with Tennessee and one with the San Diego Chargers, before being signed by the Washington Redskins. Playing primarily as a backup, Salave'a had a break-through year in 2004, registering 30 tackles and two sacks for the second-ranked Redskins defense. In 2005, he started 13 games and had 50 tackles, a half-sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, helping to lead the Redskins to their first playoff appearance of the decade. Salave'a's older brother Okland Salave'a played football at Colorado from 1987–1989. Salave'a also has his own foundation--the Joe Salave'a Foundation.

Salave'a was released by the Redskins on August 28, 2007.

College coaching career

Joe Salave'a was named a defensive assistant coach at San Jose State by his former coach at the University of Arizona, Dick Tomey in April 2008.