Toniu Fonoti, a son of the two Samoas and a former American footballer, is one of six former players who were inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

He was one of four former Huskers who were selected for the 2022 class of the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame through the balloting of the Hall of Fame membership. The four former Huskers selected include defensive back Ric Lindquist (1980s category), cornerback Bruce Pickens (1990s category), offensive guard Toniu Fonoti (2000-06 category) and cornerback Prince Amukamara (2007-12 category).

According to local media reporters, the 2022 Hall of Fame class were officially inducted at a 9 September (Saturday 10 September Samoa Time) banquet in Lincoln city, Nebraska and recognised the following day at the Huskers’ home game against Georgia Southern.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer on Sunday, Mr. Fonoti said he was proud of his Samoan roots as he has his roots in both American Samoa and Samoa.

"I am very proud to be Samoan and to actually come from Samoa. I was born in American Samoa but I was also partly raised in Apia and we always visited Samoa while we were growing up,” the former American footballer said. 

“My parents made sure we were raised with strong Samoan values. Samoa is my home, I carry it with me wherever I go.

"First and foremost I acknowledge our heavenly father for the blessings of life and family. My parents for sacrificing their own lives to bring their five children to the U.S to receive education.”

According to the website of Nebraska radio station KB Country 92.3 FM, Mr. Fonoti played professional American football in the position of offensive guard between 1999 and 2001.

“Toniu Fonoti was a dominant offensive lineman helping Nebraska to a pair of NCAA rushing titles in 2000 and 2001,” reads the brief biography published by the radio station. 

“Fonoti was a first-team All-America selection and Outland finalist in 2001 when the Huskers reached the BCS National Championship game. 

“Fonoti recorded a school-record 379 pancakes and did not allow a sack or receive a penalty in 2001. He went on to play five seasons in the NFL.”

In his interview with the Samoa Observer on Sunday, the former Samoan American footballer said his parents were tough on him and his siblings to not take life for granted.

"My parents were tough on us, they made sure we understood how lucky we were to have these opportunities and I would not have reached any of my goals in life if it wasn’t for them," he said. 

"My siblings are to be acknowledged for always being my main support system all my life.

"My daughters for keeping me grounded as a father and for letting me experience the joy and love that only a parent can feel. 

“My niece and nephews who I love like my own kids, who bring so much joy to all our lives and my uncles, aunts and cousins all over the world.” 

Recalling his days as a professional footballer over two decades ago, he said he had to acknowledge his teammates and how working as a team was critical for success. 

"I also have to acknowledge all the teammates I’ve had over the years. Football is a team sport, you need the guy next to you as much as he needs you. 

“I have benefitted so much from my teammates who became like brothers to me because we were literally in the trenches together.”

Mr. Fonoti also credited the University of Nebraska for his award and elevation into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame, saying the university and its coaches as well as the city of Lincoln played big parts in his success as a footballer. 

For young Samoans aspiring for greater goals in life, Mr. Fonoti said it is important to put in the hard yards and not give up, while remaining committed to family. 

"I advise the youth of Samoa and Samoans everywhere to put in work, no matter how tired you are or how slow your progress is,” he said. 

Every day counts, every minute counts, every rep counts, even at this stage of my life, I try to push myself to work harder than I did the day before, and I get discouraged too. But I have faith in the process and know it will work out. 

"Also to never take your family for granted. I went through some tough times, mostly because of my own poor decision making and my family never wavered. Nothing is more important than family.”

Mr Fonoti is from Apia, Lauli’i and Tuana’i through his mother and Faleapuna and Fagaloa through his father. 

According to his sister Dionne Fonoti, who is currently a senior lecturer at the Center of Samoan Studies at the National University of Samoa (NUS), her brother has made her family so proud. 

"He set lots of records but this is the one he was most famous for at Nebraska," she told this newspaper.