Mapu finds inspiration in tragedy

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

It was supposed to be an exciting time for University of Tennessee defensive lineman J.T. Mapu.

J.T. Mapu's thoughts are never far from Hawai'i, where older brother Daniel remains hospitalized following an Aug. 25 incident in which he was struck by a pickup truck. University of Tennessee

Instead, it turned out to be a trying week for the former All-State player from Kahuku High. In the wee hours of Aug. 26, Mapu was awakened by a phone call.

"I was wondering, 'What's going on?' " recalled Mapu. "Then I felt something must have happened."

On Aug. 25, Mapu's older brother, Daniel, 21, was hit by a pickup truck while taking part in an anti-drug sign-waving campaign in Ka'a'awa He was in a coma until Sept. 22, and remains hospitalized. He still can't speak or move.

Mapu, The Advertiser's All-State Defensive Player of the Year in 2001, stayed up the rest of the morning, waiting until 6 a.m., when he knew his coach, Phillip Fulmer, would be in his office.

"He said come to school and we'll get things worked out," Mapu said. "I was on a flight home that day."

It was difficult for Mapu to see his brother, who also played football for Kahuku, so helpless. He had always looked up to Daniel — who is two years older — from the time they had played on the same youth soccer and basketball teams.

"I knew I had to be the strength for my family," Mapu said. "It was hard for me, but I had to be strong for my family."

It has been a hardship for the whole family. The oldest son, Jimmy, 25, is delaying enrollment at the University of Hawai'i law school. Sister Natile, 24, who lives in Utah, returned to help the family.

Mapu wanted to be with his brother, too, but his father felt otherwise.

"You need to go to school," Simi Mapu told his son. "You know your brother would be upset if you didn't finish what you started."

So, after a week at home, Mapu returned to Tennessee.

"It's what he would want me to do," Mapu said. "I had a good feeling he'd be fine."

On Sept. 22, Mapu got another phone call from home. The news was better. Daniel had come out of the coma.

"I had my parents put the phone to his ear," Mapu said. "I talked to him, even though he could not talk.

"I just encourage him, tell him what's been going on out here (in Tennessee), to be strong, keep fighting. I tell him I love him."

Before this past weekend's home game against South Carolina, Mapu called home as the team did its ritual "Vol Walk" from the football complex to Neyland Stadium.

"We put the phone to Daniel's ear," Simi Mapu said. "The place is packed. You can hear the noise, the excitement of the crowd. We let him listen to the 'Vol Walk.' "

Mapu said he has dedicated this season to Daniel, and he hopes to make it a good one.

A knee injury during a summer scrimmage and the trip home slowed his start, but he didn't miss a beat when he returned. Mapu played sparingly against Marshall on Sept. 6, then started against Florida and South Carolina the following weeks.

"It doesn't matter who starts because the defensive line rotates a lot," said Mapu, who is 6 feet 3 and 265 pounds. "It keeps the whole D-line guys fresh."

What makes his starts impressive is that he has been moved to defensive tackle from defensive end, a position he played in all 12 games as a freshman.

"We saw he had some quickness," UT defensive line coach Dan Brooks said. "He has a defense personality, some toughness. (Playing) inside is physical and tough."

Brooks said Mapu's asset is his willingness to learn.

"J.T. brings a great work ethic," Brooks said. "He takes coaching well, does what we tell him to do. He has a great desire to play."

Mapu said he has had to adjust to living on the Mainland, but he likes playing for Tennessee. The Vols play in a packed 104,000-seat stadium, where "all you see is orange on game days," he said.

"The whole city is empty because our campus is full of people. Cars can't drive anywhere. It's great to play in front of all these people and make them happy."

But happiness isn't limited to football. It also comes nightly with a phone call to home.

"They get tired of me calling every time," Mapu said of his parents. "I just call to see what's going on."

His father provides comfort.

"He called me at 5 a.m.," said Simi Mapu. " 'It's gotta be J.T.' He asks, 'How's the boy? I can't sleep when I'm inside my room.' He worries, but we just tell him Daniel is doing good."

To read more about Daniel Mapu, see danielmapu.com.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.