Former Arizona Wildcat defensive tackle Joe Salave'a was one of four inductees to the 2019 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame class. Other members of the class were Dan Saleaumua, Lofa Tatupu and Marques Tuiasosopo.
Salave'a was among over 200 nominees selected by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
Salave'a was a part of the Desert Swarm defense at Arizona from 1994-97 and helped a UA team that went 10-2, which the Wildcats capped with a win over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl. Salave'a was a two-time All-Pac-10 selection.
Tennessee selected Salave'a in the 1998 NFL Draft, and played in Super Bowl 34 when the Titans lost to the Rams in 1999. After the 2001 season, Salave'a played for the Chargers, Ravens and Redskins from 2003-06. He appeared in 100 games and started 28 of them, registering 117 tackles and 7.5 sacks.
Salave'a took his talents to coaching and was UA's defensive line coach in 2011. He now holds the same position at Oregon and is an associate head coach.
The UA will honor Salave'a and the 2019 class during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame enshrinement and Polynesian Bowl on Jan. 18-19.
