Me, Joe Salave`a, Rick Sakata & Chris McAlister

(JOE) Washington Redskins, (RICK) Vice President Salave'a Foundation, (CHRIS) Baltimore Ravens

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JOE & CHRIS

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The Foundation's mission is:
To empower, educate, and encourage the youth by providing educational opportunities, sports clinics, and complimentary programs.

 

The Foundation is able to achieve its mission through financial contributions from local and off-island businesses and individuals. The Foundation will hold its first annual golf tournament in American Samoa on March 22, 2003. This major fundraiser will help fund our goals set forth for the year 2003. One the goals is the annual Joe Salave'a Football Camp. This free camp benefits over 600 children. Some of Joe's friends from the NFL, collegiate, and high school level are able to attend this camp each year in hopes of inspiring the campers to realize their potentials.

Joe has also teamed up with the Hawaii Sports Network Athletic Prep Academy (HAPA). This relationship enables the Foundation to assist student athletes of American Samoa and their families through the recruiting process of college entry. This program profiles student athletes to various colleges in the U.S. by virtue of their athletic abilities and education background.

 

Redskins Add Salave'a, Swayne
Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
March 26, 2004
 
The Redskins have signed defensive tackle Joe Salave'a and wide receiver Kevin Swayne to the team's roster. Both are on hand for this weekend's mini-camp at Redskins Park.

Salave'a is a five-year NFL veteran who has had stints with the Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens and San Diego Chargers. He has played in 58 NFL games--mostly as a reserve with the Titans--and recorded 49 tackles and five sacks.

Salave'a, 6-3 and 295 pounds, is a native of American Samoa. He came to the United States in 1989 and would go on to play his college ball at Arizona. The Tennessee Titans selected him in the fourth round (107th overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft.

Swayne, a former Arena League star, is a three-year NFL veteran previously with the New York Jets. In three seasons, he has recorded 20 receptions for 310 yards and one touchdown.

The 6-1, 190-pounder had his most productive season with the Jets in his rookie year when he played in 15 games--starting twice--and catching 13 passes for 203 yards.

Swayne caught on with the Jets after serving on the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad in 1999. He entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Chicago Bears in 1997 after a standout career at Wayne State University.

In addition, the Redskins have a handful of players participating in this weekend's mini-camp on a tryout basis:

 

Khary Campbell, LB, 6-3, 230 pounds, Bowling Green.

Michael Hall, DB, 5-10, 175 pounds, Illinois

Devin Lemons, LB, 6-2, 232 pounds, Texas Tech

Robert Newkirk, DL, 6-3, 290 pounds, Michigan State

Gari Scott, WR, 6-2, 194 pounds, Michigan State

Bernard Whittington, DL, 6-5, 291 pounds, Indiana

The most notable name on the list is Whittington, a nine-year veteran who has had stints with the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals. In 137 NFL games, he has 268 tackles and 12 sacks.

Scott was a former fourth-round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2000. He has also had a brief stint with the Green Bay Packers.

 

Up Close With Joe Salave'a
Article by Lauree Leyland for TitansExclusive.com 1999.
You only have to spend a few minutes with Joe Salave'a to realize how strongly committed he is to being the very best he can be. He is the type of guy any parent would select as a role model, not only for his athletic ability, but for his character. He is kind, thoughtful of others, and knows that real success is only achieved through hard work.

For a young man of only 24 years, the waters run deep and to the credit of his family he has not departed from the basic values and principles they impressed upon him as a child. He has a quick smile and makes time to stop and visit with the fans, especially the kids.

Joe is originally from the Island of Samoa, where his parents and many family members still reside. His parents wanted to provide for him the best of opportunities, so when it came time for him to go to high school they sent him to live with an Aunt in California. They felt that by doing so he would receive a good education and be exposed to a variety of possibilities.
Joe did well in school that year, but his Aunt was very strict and he wanted more freedom. He moved to Colorado Springs, CO to live with his Sister and her family. He enjoyed living with them and again had a good school year, but Joe realized something.

He realized that the school he left was more rigorous academically, and in the long run would give him the best possible tools for his future. Showing a tremendous amount of maturity, he asked his Aunt if he could once again live with her and she agreed.

The strong values his parents and family instilled in him gave him the inner strength necessary to make good choices and stay out of trouble. While talking about this time in his life Joe commented that "There is no such thing as peer pressure. There is only the pressure you put on yourself."

When making a decision about whether or not to hang out with a particular group or to go out with friends who might not be making the best choices, Joe's mind went back to his Father and whether or not he would approve of the activity. Even across an ocean, the chords of family held strong.

He loved baseball, but his talent and natural ability to play football began to emerge during this time. By his senior year he had attracted the attention of several top programs, and settled on the University of Arizona which is known for the strength of it's defensive line. Four years later Joe found himself in a position that he had not planned and did not expect. He had a strong chance of being drafted into the NFL.
Joe's plans for his own success were practical ones, and he said he never dreamed the NFL would happen to him. He is also enjoying it to the fullest. He said that he gets such a charge out of playing, that he can not just stand on the sidelines without showing the emotions of a fan.

 

When he runs out on the field he feels the energy the crowd generates and gives it right back to them. When his teammates make a good play, he cheers, and when he is a part of a drive-stopping play, he has been known to pump his arm in the air and rally the fans from midfield.

Although he did not secure a starting spot his rookie year, the Titans are looking for Joe to contribute in a big way. His size and strength should make him a factor in the defensive rotation, and his desire to succeed will play to everyone's advantage.