My story w the Tagovailoas (A THREAD):

About 3 years ago, I wrote my senior project on the Tagovailoas. Not only was I able to spend intimate time with their family over the course of a few weeks, but eventually I flew to Alabama for Tua’s very first A-Day game ...

But what many people don’t know, is that I tirelessly pursued this family for MONTHS, wanting to write this piece on them.

They are EXTREMELY private, and don’t normally let people in, so many told me that it would be impossible to accomplish ...

But after so many calls, emails & dead end leads, Diane (Tua’s mom) reached out to me. She invited me to lunch with her & her husband Galu.

I met them at a Zippys in Ewa Beach, and we had about an hr long meeting. I learned so much about them in that short span of time ...

But one thing was abundantly clear: despite all the fame & fortune bound to happen for them, they were, at heart, a close-knit family rooted in faith & love.

Samoan families have a unique bond that supersedes everything, they’re unbreakable. And the Tagovailoas are no exception

Seeing @Tuaamann get drafted to the @MiamiDolphins today felt very full circle. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Red heart" aria-label="Emoji: Red heart">

I’m proud to have been given the honor to follow & get to know this family, but mostly I’m proud that the 5th overall pick was a Samoan local boy from da aīna cheeeee https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤙🏽" title="Call me hand (medium skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Call me hand (medium skin tone)">

Never let anyone tell you you can’t do something ... because chances are they’ll tell everyone that they know you, once you accomplish what you set your mind to (BARZ) https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🥴" title="Woozy face" aria-label="Emoji: Woozy face">

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📸" title="Camera with flash" aria-label="Emoji: Camera with flash">s by @carolinejapal

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