CFL pioneer Talalemotu passes away

The late Faaea “Tala” Talalemotu in an undated photo poses in his Predators uniform during a training session for the Commonwealth Football League. (CFLA)

The Commonwealth Football League Association lost one of its pillars with the passing of Faaea “Tala” Talalemotu yesterday in Oregon.

CFLA official John Blanco, in a message sent to Saipan Tribune, recalled Talalemotu’s contribution to CNMI football since he started playing the sport on Saipan in the early 2000s.

“He was definitely a force to be reckoned with when he played in the Commonwealth Football League Association. He was part of the first men’s tackle football team that played against Guam on March 11, 2000,” Blanco said.

The CFLA head added that Talalemotu played in the league for five years with three different teams and won three championships.

“He played for the Budweiser Predators (2001-2003), Shell Chiefs (2004), and the Express Electronics Eagles (2005), picking up three championships along the way—two with the Predators and one with the Chiefs,” Blanco said.

Though his heft and height gave problems to every team he faced, Talalemotu never played dirty.

“Anyone that played for him or against him knows the level of play he brought to the field. He was such a dominating presence both on and off the field. Overall, a great guy, a gentle giant, and it was truly an honor to have known him and played with him. Needless to say, I will miss him terribly,” Blanco said.

Talalemotu’s love for American football influenced his son—Savali—to play the sport, too. The younger Talalemotu suited up for Beaverton High School’s basketball and football teams and just completed his senior year at Portland State University in NCAA Division 1, having played as a defensive lineman for the Vikings.

“He meant everything to me. He was my biggest fan. He drove to every game no matter what. After every sack I would look for him in the stands and we just point at each other. I’m going to miss him so much,” Savali said in a message to Saipan Tribune yesterday.

Besides being active in American football, the older Talalemotu taught at Kagman High School and also served as the head coach of the Ayuyus’ varsity men’s team in the now defunct Marianas Interscholastic Sports Association in the early 2000s.

Talalemotu, who completed his Bachelor of Science degree in General Science and Mathematics from Seattle University in Washington, moved to Oregon several years ago and taught at Park Academy in Lake Oswego. Details of his death have yet to be released by his family as of press time.