Under the Helmet with … Mychael Tuiasosopo Lineman | West Team
Published 8:19 am Monday, June 28, 2010
Mychael Tuiasosopo
Lineman | West Team
Even among brand-new teammates, it didn’t take long for recent Mariner High School graduate Mychael Tuiasosopo to hear his well-known nickname chanted.
“Tui! Tui!” players on the West team frequently hollered this week when Tuiasosopo, a relentless 6-foot-1, 245-pound defensive lineman, made big plays during practice. “Tui” could be a big force at nose guard when the West team plays the East team today in the annual 3A/4A East-West All-Star Football Game. The annual gridiron battle kicks off at 1 p.m.
In a sense, Tuiasosopo represents the end of an era. His older brothers Trenton and Tyler both played football at Mariner and, like youngest brother Mychael, earned all-league honors. Trenton, a linebacker, played in the East-West Game in 2004 and then played for the University of Washington. Tyler, a quarterback, graduated high school in 2008 and now plays for Long Beach City College in California.
Mychael Tuiasosopo, a Pacific Lutheran University recruit, will continue his family tradition of playing in college.
Coach’s corner
Known for his non-stop effort, Tuiasosopo quickly impressed West team head coach Mark Stewart at practice this week. In fact, Stewart occasionally had to ask Tuiasosopo to tone down his aggression while the West offense learned new plays and got back in football shape.
Tough guys
When West team players arrived at their hotel in Everett Monday morning they were all in tough-guy mode. “Everyone was just flexing their muscles and stuff,” Tuiasosopo said, “but as soon as we got to know each other they let their guard down.”
Roll over, dude!
Tuiasosopo shared a room with West teammates Evan Hudson (Bothell) and John Hampton (Rainier Beach) this week at the Holiday Inn Downtown Everett. There was one glaring problem: “Three big men and only two beds,” said Tuiasosopo. He, Hudson (a 6-5, 240-pound defensive end/tight end) and lineman Hampton (6-0, 250) agreed to rotate each night so that each guy got a chance to have the single bed. The first night Tuiasosopo was supposed to share a bed with Hudson, but Tui wisely moved to the floor. “I made sure I didn’t touch him or wake him up or anything,” said Tuiasosopo, “because I don’t want to wake up a mad giant.”
Thanks, bro
Tuiasosopo said his proudest moment as an athlete was playing his sophomore football season with his brother Tyler, who was Mariner’s senior QB. The brothers helped lead Mariner to the 4A state playoffs. “He was always there,” Mychael said of Tyler. “He always helped me out with the plays because he was the quarterback. He knew what I was supposed to do so he guided me.”
Famous cousins
Tuiasosopo is obviously a famous sports name in the Northwest. Mychael is the cousin of well-known brothers Marques, Zach and Matt Tuiasosopo.
Tui’s soft side
Asked what kind of music he listens to, Mychael Tuiasosopo said, “I like everything: country, hip-hop. (Here comes a big surprise.) But I’ve been kind of into Taylor Swift.”
Game on
In his spare time Tuiasosopo enjoys playing video games with buddies. His favorite game is “Gears of War 2.”
Mike Cane, Herald Writer
