Salave'a selected to Polynesian Football Hall of Fame
10/24/18 | Football
EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon associate head coach Joe Salave'a is one of four former players who will be inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame in January.
Salave'a, who also serves as the Ducks' co-defensive coordinator, run game coordinator and defensive line coach, joins Dan Saleaumua, Lofa Tatupu and Marques Tuiasosopo in the Class of 2019. The four will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend and during the Polynesian Bowl on Jan. 18-19, 2019.
Before beginning his coaching career, Salave'a enjoyed an eight-year NLF career after being drafted out of Arizona in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft by Tennessee. Salave'a spent five years with the Titans, split 2003 with the Baltimore Ravens and San Diego Chargers and finished his career with a three-year stint with the Washington Redskins before retiring after the 2006 season. He played in 100 NFL games, making 28 starts, while totaling 82 tackles, 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He appeared in Super Bowl XXXIV for the Titans.
Salave'a lettered at Arizona as a defensive tackle from 1994-97, earning first-team All-Pac-10 honors in 1997, second-team honors in 1996 and honorable mention recognition in 1995. He was also the team captain in 1996. Salave'a totaled 157 career tackles for the Wildcats, as an interior lineman, with 43.5 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks. He led the team in sacks and tackles for loss in both 1996 and 1997, and in forced fumbles in 1994 and 1996.
