115 | Part 4: 4X Super Bowl Champ Jesse Sapolu Discusses Coach Dick Tomey's Legacy: Transforming Lives Through Football and Culture

 About the Guest

Jesse Sapolu is a former professional American football player who played his entire career with the San Francisco 49ers. A native of Hawaii, Sapolu is of Samoan descent and played college football at the University of Hawaii. Over his NFL career, he achieved remarkable success, winning four Super Bowl rings with the 49ers. Beyond his playing career, Jesse is known for his dedication to his roots, exemplified by his decision to remain in Hawaii for his college education, influenced greatly by his coach, Dick Tomey. 

Episode Summary

In this episode of "Becoming UnDone," host Toby Brooks dives deep into the incredible journey of Jesse Sapolu, a former NFL player and four-time Super Bowl champion. Jesse shares his inspirational story from his teenage struggles in Hawaii, where he faced educational challenges and a tumultuous high school experience, to becoming a professional football player. A pivotal moment was meeting Coach Dick Tomey, whose profound understanding of culture and community shaped Jesse’s decision to stay at the University of Hawaii, altering the course of his life. 

Through engaging narratives and vivid recollections, Jesse describes Coach Tomey’s unique recruiting style that emphasized cultural respect and family values. This episode captures the essence of what made Tomey a transformative figure in football, particularly highlighting his impact on the Hawaii football program and his ability to cultivate talent and loyalty among his players, even without the allure of high-profile national championships. Listeners will gain insights into the enduring legacy left by Coach Tomey, showcased through Jesse’s path of personal and professional development. 

Key Takeaways

• Coach Dick Tomey’s respect for and understanding of Samoan culture profoundly influenced Jesse Sapolu’s decision to remain at the University of Hawaii.
• Jesse Sapolu’s career illustrates the role of perseverance and right opportunities in achieving professional success, emphasizing that early challenges can lead to great achievements.
• The unique recruiting approach of Coach Tomey, focusing on familial bonds and cultural respect, helped shape a strong community-oriented football program in Hawaii.
• Despite not winning national championships, Coach Tomey’s ability to build character, community, and culture led to lasting impacts on his players' lives.
• The episode serves as an inspiring testament to how leadership rooted in respect and understanding can transform individuals and build enduring legacies.

Notable Quotes
 

1. "Coach Tomey attended church, and Coach joked about that because the church is conducted in the Samoan dialect. So, you know, he's sitting there for an hour and a half not understanding what's going on." - Jesse Sapolu
2. "Jesse was one of the most highly touted local products coming out of Farrington High School in Honolulu." - Toby Brooks
3. "What Coach Tomey did was just connect the culture with how he was going to coach me if he was going to be the guy that was going to take care of me for the next four or five years." - Jesse Sapolu
4. "I think what Coach Tomey means to me is that he