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Podcasts Take Two
In Football We Trust: the NFL and the Polynesian pipeline
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Jan 25, 2016
Listen • 24:22
In Football We Trust: the NFL and the Polynesian pipeline
It's known as the Polynesian Pipeline, the route that leads large numbers of men from Samoa, Tonga and Hawai'i into the NFL. Is it exploitation or a luck break?
Bingham's #21 Harvey Langi (Right) stiff arms Alta's #28Parker Mirrison as Bingham and Alta play at Rice Eccles Stadium in the 5A semifinals. Friday, Nov. 13, 2009. Photo by Scott G Winterton Deseret News.
In Football We Trust's Harvey Langi (Right) stiff arms Alta's #28Parker Mirrison as Bingham and Alta play at Rice Eccles Stadium in the 5A semifinals as he honors his family during the game. Photo by Scott G Winterton Deseret News.
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Deseret News
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It's known as the Polynesian Pipeline, the route that leads large numbers of men from Samoa, Tonga and Hawai'i into the NFL. Is it exploitation or a luck break?

Football is America's passion, generating billions of dollars every year.  As a result, the game needs players, with a high proportion of new talent coming through what's known as the Polynesian pipeline. Young men from Samoa, Hawai'i, Tonga and other islands are 28 times more likely to play in the NFL than any other ethnic group, based on population size.

Tonight on PBS, a new documentary titled "In Football We Trust" tells the story of the "pipeline" through the eyes of four Polynesian high school students in Utah. It explores why success is so important,  not just to the players, but also their families.

As part of a special screening of "In Football We Trust" in Carson last week,  Take Two's A Martinez sat down with a panel of guests to talk more about the pipeline, and its impact on the Polynesian community in Southern California.

Guests

Gavin Dougan; Executive Producer, In Football We Trust
Sydney Seau; daughter of the legendary NFL linebacker, Junior Seau
Coach Pene Talamaivao; Primetime Polynesian Athletic Training; former NFL player (San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills) 
Shawn Tanuvasa ;  educator with Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; played football to college level and is also a youth coach