Lofa Tatupu

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=Seattle Seahawks
currentnumber=51
currentpositionplain=Middle linebacker
birthdate=birth date and age|1982|11|15
birthplace=San Diego, California
heightft=6
heightin=0
weight=242
debutyear=2005
debutteam=Seattle Seahawks
highlights=
* 3x Pro Bowl selection (2005, 2006, 2007)
* All-Pro selection (2007)
college=Maine & Southern California
draftyear=2005
draftround=2
draftpick=45
pastteams=
* Seattle Seahawks (2005-present)
statweek=5
statseason=2008
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=358
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=6.5
statlabel3=INTs
statvalue3=8
nfl=TAT743820

Mosiula Mea'alofa Tatupu (born November 15, 1982 in San Diego, California) is an American football linebacker for the NFL Seattle Seahawks.

College career

Tatupu was an All-American for the USC Trojans where he wore the number 58, which is now worn by another Samoan linebacker, Rey Maualuga.

Tatupu transferred to USC after spending his freshman year at the University of Maine. He started 25 games in two years for the Trojans as they won back-to-back national championships. He finished his USC career with 202 tackles, nine sacks, seven interceptions, three fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, 18 pass deflections, and one touchdown.

NFL career

2005 NFL Draft

Tatupu was selected 45th overall in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Some teams had him rated lower than the second round. Seahawks general manager Tim Ruskell, who used two fourth-round picks to move up nine spots in the draft to get him, took some criticism for trading up for Tatupu, who was considered slightly undersized and a little slow.John Clayton, [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3305560 Tatupu agrees to six-year extension worth more than $40 million] , ESPN.com, March 21, 2008.]

("* represents NFL Combine")

eattle Seahawks

As a rookie in 2005 Tatupu was named to the Pro Bowl, while leading the NFC Champion Seahawks in tackles, with 104. He also had four sacks and three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown in Seattle's 42-0 Monday Night Football victory against the Philadelphia Eagles. On December 2, 2007, he continued his success against the Philadelphia Eagles, intercepting three passes and returning them for a total of 110 yards off of Eagles Quarterback A.J. Feely. Interestingly, this meant that Feely had thrown for more yards to Tatupu than to any of his receivers.

In Tatupu's first three seasons, he's led the Seahawks in tackles. He has been voted to the Pro Bowl every season he's been in the NFL: 2005, 2006 and 2007. He emerged as the Seahawks leader on defense, making his teammates more attentive in preparing by watching more game tape and calling defensive signals on the field.John Clayton, [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3305560 Tatupu agrees to six-year extension worth more than $40 million] , ESPN.com, March 21, 2008.]

On March 21, 2008 the Seahawks signed Tatupu to a six-year contract extension through the year 2015. The deal is worth $42 million, with $18 million guaranteed alone in the years 2008 to 2010. The contract made Tatupu one of the six highest-paid linebackers in the League. Tatupu responded by stating, "I'm going to end my career with the Seahawks."John Clayton, [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3305560 Tatupu agrees to six-year extension worth more than $40 million] , ESPN.com, March 21, 2008.]

Personal

He is the son of former USC Trojan and New England Patriots fullback Mosi Tatupu. Lofa Tatupu was born in San Diego but raised in Plainville, Massachusetts.

Played Quarterback in high school, graduating from King Philip Regional High School in Wrentham, MA; graduating in 2001.

On May 10, 2008, Lofa Tatupu was arrested on DUI charges in city-state|Kirkland|Washington. Breathalyzer tests measured his blood alcohol content at between 0.155 and 0.158, nearly double the state's legal limit of 0.08. Taputu's car, a 2006 Hyundai, was seen driving erratically by the arresting officer. [ [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2004412046_hawk14.html Seahawks | Seahawks' Tatupu apologizes after arrest | Seattle Times Newspaper ] ] He pled guilty to the charges on July 7.

References