Hawaii football legend returns to his roots, honored by his alma mater

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Last week Friday, Farrington High School students held a pep rally for their football game against Kapolei.

The event was an extra special one because the Governors were recognizing alumnus and four-time Super Bowl champion Jesse Sapolu.

Sapolu spent all fifteen years of his career playing for the 49ers. He was a Farrington graduate in 1979 and was welcomed into his alma mater’s gymnasium with cheers and applause.

“It’s a great honor to be here with my classmates from 1979,” Sapolu said.

“It’s important for me to come back, because I’ve never been to one of these. And this is where it all started for me. You know, people just saw the Jesse Sapolu that played in four Super Bowls, but this is where it all started for me, so I’m honored to be back.”

He also expressed gratitude for the support he received throughout his time at Farrington.

“People ask me all the time, ‘What goes through your mind when you’re sitting in a locker room about to play in the biggest game that football offers?’ You know, I’m sitting there just going through every little thing about, you know how bad the field was and, and how many teachers have helped me here to get me to where, where I am.”

Sapolu recalled playing on Farrington’s old football field back when it was just a weed-covered dirt track. He attributes his character-strength and NFL career to the hours of practice he dedicated his time to.

The football legend said his advice to the younger generations is that “nothing replaces hard work and a belief in yourself.”

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