Brandon Manumaleuna

Infobox NFLactive


|caption =
currentteam =San Diego Chargers
currentnumber =86
currentposition =Tight end
birthdate =birth date and age|1980|1|4
birthplace =Torrance, California
heightft =6
heightin =2
weight =288
debutyear =2001
debutteam =St. Louis Rams
college =Arizona
draftyear =2001
draftround =4
draftpick =129
pastteams =
* St. Louis Rams (2001 - 2005)
* San Diego Chargers (2006 - "present")
nfl =MAN774642

Brandon Michael Manumaleuna pronounced pronEng|MAH-noo-mah-lee-oon-ah (born January 4, 1980 in Torrance, California) is an American football tight end for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He is of Samoan and African-American descent. He was selected in the fourth round (129 overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. He played college football at Arizona.

Manumaleuna means "Bird of Paradise". His father, Frank, was a linebacker for the NFL Kansas City Chiefs (1979-1981) and the USFL Oakland Invaders (1983-84) and Portland Breakers (1985).

During the 2006 NFL Draft, Manumaleuna was traded to the San Diego Chargers in exchange for the 113th pick (4th Round).

High school career

Manumaleuna attended Narbonne High School in Harbor City, California. While at Narbonne High he was selected Second-Team All-State as a defensive lineman. He also lettered in basketball and track.

College career

Manumaleuna attended the University of Arizona from 1997 - 2000, where he was a Second-team All-Pac 10 as a junior. While at Arizona he majored in Political scienece.

Manumaleuna began his at Arizona as a defensive lineman and made the switch to tight end and H-back. He finished his collegiate career with 40 receptions for 544 yards and three toucdowns.

Professional career

Manumaleuna was selected in the fourth round (129 overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. He signed with the team on June 21, 2001.

2001

In 2001, Manumaleuna only had one reception on the season. He made his first career reception, a one-yard touchdown, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2002

In 2002, Manumaleuna recorded eight receptions on the season for 106 yards and one touchdown.

Manumaleuna recorded two receptions against the San Francisco 49ers, San Diego Chargers, and Kansas City Chiefs. He had a season-high 38 receiving yards against the Chargers. He recorded his lone touchdown reception in the season-finale against the 49ers.

2003

In 2003, Manumaleuna had a career year, with highs in receptions (29) yards (238) and touchdowns (two).

Manumaleuna recorded a season-long reception of 39 yards against the Atlanta Falcons. He finished that game with a career-high 56 yards receiving. Manumaleuna recorded a season-high four receptions against the Green Bay Packers. He scored his first touchdown of the season on a four yards at the Chicago Bears. Manumaleuna recorded his second touchdown of the season on an eight yard pass at the Detroit Lions.

2004

On March 16, 2004 Manumaleuna signed a five-year contract with the Rams.

In 2004, Manumaleuna recorded 15 receptions for 174 yards and one touchdown.

Manumaleuna recorded a season high three receptions for 33 yards and an eight yard touchdown catch at the Seattle Seahawks. He also recorded three receptions for a season high 53 yards against the New England Patriots. Manumaleuna recorded career long 48 yard reception against the Patriots as well.

2005

In 2005, Manumaleuna recorded 13 receptions for 129 yards and one touchdown.

Manumaleuna recorded a six yard touchdown catch in the season opener at the San Francisco 49ers. He was inactive for weeks four and five because of a knee injury. Manumaleuna recorded season highs with three receptions for 51 yards in Seattle, which included a season long 33 yard reception. He recorded a 29 yard receptions in the season finale against the Dallas Cowboys.

2006

On April 30, 2006 during the 2006 NFL Draft, Manumaleuna was traded by the St. Louis Rams to the San Diego Chargers in exchange fora fourth round pick, the 113th overall selection.

In 2006, Manumaleuna recorded 14 receptions for 91 yards and three touchdowns.

Manumaleuna recorded a season high four receptions and his first touchdown reception of the season during week six at the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. He recorded a touchdown reception on a halfback option pass from LaDanian Tomlinson, in the season opening win at the Oakland Raiders. Manumaleuna had extensive role in blocking for 216 yard, three touchdown rushing day against the Rams. He had a hand in the Chargers' win over the Cincinnati Bengals with a career high two touchdown receptions. The first of which was for nine yards and the the second was on a third-and-five play late in the fourth quarter. Manumaleuna recorded two receptions against the Denver Broncos was a run after a reception in which he broke several tackles and lost his helmet en route to a 19 yard gain on third-and-seven in the late second quarter. His blocking helped the Chargers run for 265 yards against the Chiefs, 168 against the Seahawks, and 169 yards against the Arizona Cardinals during the final three weeks of the season.

2007

In 2007, Manumaleuna recorded 10 receptions for 86 yards and one touchdown.

Manumaleuna recorded one reception for four yards during the season opener against the Chicago Bears. During week six he recorderd two receptions for 18 yards against the Oakland Raiders. In week eight against the Houston Texans, Manumaleuna recorded one reception for two yards. During week nine at the Minnesota Vikings, he recorded two receptions for 13 yards. In week 12, Manumaleuna recorded one reception for zero yards, against the Baltimore Ravens. The next week at the Kansas City Chiefs he recorded two catches for 48 yards. His 40-yard catch was his longest catch since 2004. During week 15 against the Detroit Lions, Manumaleuna recorded one reception for one yard and one touchdown on a pass from quarterback Phillip Rivers. He recorded two receptions for 18 yards against the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Wild Card game. He then recorded one reception for three yards in the AFC Divisional Championship game.

Personal life

Manumaleuna’s off-the-field interests include playing basketball and spending time with his family. He is a second-generation NFL player. His father, Frank Manumaleuna, played linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1979 - 1981. Frank played at UCLA in the early 1970s. Brandon showed early signs of following in his father’s footsteps. At the age of 11, he won the NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick Competition.

Manumaleuna is a Latter-day Saint.

External links

* [http://www.chargers.com/team/roster/brandon-manumaleuna.htm San Diego Chargers bio]
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2678 San Diego Chargers Player card] on ESPN.com
* [http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5577 Profile] on Yahoo! Sports
* [http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/235110 Profile] on CBSSports.com