What was your proudest moment in the NFL?
Just making it to the NFL. Ever since I was real young, I always wanted to be in the NFL. I loved it. When I knew that I was kind of good in high school, I started thinking, 'Oh, this could really happen.' To actually make it here is a great achievement, and now that I'm in here, I just want to stay here as long as I can.
How does it feel to be a role model for Polynesians?
I know I am because a lot of my cousins and their friends talk about me making it here. I want to make the Tongan culture proud. I want to show the younger generation that we can do something and not just be in gangs or lazy. I'm trying to break that stereotype.
What was your most embarrassing moment in the NFL?
Running out of bounds when I got that interception [against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 10, 2006] in my rookie year. I still hear about it every day.
If you were NFL commissioner for one day, what would you do or change?
Probably the fines. Make them a little less. I had that accidental fine last year [when he threw a punch at Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas on Nov. 18]. It was $5,000. I would make it $250 or $300. That's about it.
Do you feel that defensive tackles get overshadowed by linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties?
I just think that's part of the job. We work to hold up guys for linebackers. As long as our linebackers are making plays that we're working hard for them to make the plays, I'm just happy with that. Going through high school and college, a lot of times, linebackers would miss the plays that are supposed to be made. Being with linebackers like Ray [Lewis] and Bart [Scott], they make those plays. It's great to hold up a double-team and hear this 'crack!' That's when you can say, 'Yes! They made the play.' That makes me happy. I'm fine with it. It doesn't matter whether I get the glory or not.
Would you rather have a Super Bowl ring or a Hall of Fame bust?
That's a hard question. Probably a Super Bowl ring because you work so hard to get that, and it's a great team accomplishment to get that ring and know that you got into the Super Bowl. I haven't experienced it yet, but hopefully, I can one day get it.
What's your favorite food?
It's called lu pulu [a Tongan dish]. It's kind of like spinach with corned beef in it. They bake it, and it's something that I really love. That with taro is just so good.
