He also can bench 225 pounds 52 times.

But pleasing others can be a heavy burden, and the 6-foot-2 1/2, 316-pound Sopoaga buried his face in a T-shirt when it became apparent yesterday he would not be selected in the first three rounds of the National Football League draft.

Sopoaga, who was raised in American Samoa, was not saddened by the omission.

"Small-kine stuff," he said, noting he expects to be selected today in the draft's final four rounds.

No, Sopoaga's eyes were moistened because he believed he had disappointed the family and friends who traveled from the Mainland and American Samoa to attend a "draft party" in 'Ewa Beach.

"I feel sad for them, for them to come from so far away," he said. "It didn't end in a good way today."

A disappointed Isa'ako Sopoaga is comforted by his mother, Suitupe, as the first day of the NFL draft passes without the former UH defensive tackle being chosen. Photos by Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

Isa'ako Sopoaga (with hat) was surrounded by friends and family at his uncle's 'Ewa Beach home. "There's a lot of love in this family," said Sopoaga, who felt "sad" for disappointing them.

At 7 a.m., a video crew showed up. The crew has spent more than a year following Sopoaga and other athletes of Samoan ancestry. ESPN has purchased the rights to the documentary, which will air early next year.

Family members wore specially made T-shirts that proclaimed: "Sopoaga Pride."

Although there was the please-please-please hope Sopoaga, a defensive tackle, would be picked late in the first round, the realistic projection was a third-round selection, at the earliest.

Sopoaga is fast and strong. But he is relatively inexperienced in the sport, picking it up as a Samoana High senior. He did not play football at all in 2001, when he worked to earn an associate degree.

As the second round turned into the third, the mood became somber. Ten hours and 18 minutes after ESPN's telecast had started, the third round was completed.

The guests were asked to gather at the front of the house. Eseti Tupuola, the family patriarch, offered a prayer, in Samoan.

Then Rev. Ekitoa Sopoaga told the guests, "Our spirits are still high."

Later, he said, "It's hard for Isa'ako, because all of the family is here. We told him not to worry about things he cannot control. We encouraged him not to be down. There's always tomorrow."

Isa'ako Sopoaga said: "In a way, I'm sad. But I'm happy for all of my family members to be here. They traveled from far-away places. There's a lot of love in this family. Even though I didn't make it today, I know deep in my heart, everybody here will be with me."

Then Rev. Sopoaga announced it was time to eat. Many of the guests had not eaten all day.

"The main thing," Rev. Sopoaga said, "is the family is here together. We're here for Isa'ako."