Ex-Kahuku player is NFL Draft's final pick
| • | Forney's wait is over |
Arizona Republic
PHOENIX — It was an improbable journey that brought former Kahuku High player Tevita Ofahengaue, a father of four, to his 15 minutes of fame yesterday.
Associated Press library photo • Sept. 16, 1999
The Arizona Cardinals made Ofahengaue, who was out of high school for four years before going to Brigham Young, the 246th and final pick in the NFL draft, earning the title Mr. Irrelevant for 2001. He will be honored with a parade, banquet, golf tournament, visit to Disneyland, and other activities in a week-long celebration in Newport Beach, Calif.
Brigham Young tight end Tevita Ofahengaue, left, was the last player chosen in the NFL Draft yesterday, honoring him as this year's Mr. Irrelevant.
"I've never been in a parade before," Ofahengaue said.
After leaving Kahuku, he was ready to see the world.
"I had graduated from high school, and I got married, and I had no plans of going to college," Ofahengaue said.
He moved to Dallas, where he worked the luggage ramp at the Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Airport for American Airlines. Ofahengaue said the job helped him and his wife, Carey, support their young family, which now includes children ages 9, 7, 3 and 1.
A high school teammate, Itula Mili, now a tight end for Seattle, suggested coming to Brigham Young and giving it a try as a walk-on tight end.
"I was like, no, I am already making good enough money and I am traveling the world," said Ofahengaue, 25.
A gentle nudge from his parents, though, got him to Provo, Utah, where it didn't take him long to earn a scholarship. He was a three-year starter for the Cougars.
"I played free safety in high school," the 6-foot-2, 251-pound Ofahengaue said. "I love to hit. That's why I am a blocking machine now. Where I come from, Kahuku High School, that is all we do, hit. We had cornerbacks who were 6-3, 250. If it's third and 15, the safety isn't playing, we are running the trap-draw."
Ofahengaue will get his chance, according to Cardinals coach Dave McGinnis.
"The Mr. Irrelevant and the rest of the stuff with it is pretty interesting," McGinnis said, "but he's mature, and we think he can come in here and block and compete."
