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The University of Utah Athletics
Why U Play: Mika Tafua
10/30/2019 5:17 PM | Football
Growing up in Laie
Growing up, I always wanted to play football, but my mom wouldn't let me until I got old enough.
When I was in seventh grade, I asked her if I could play and she said no again – at least not until I learned to play the piano. So, she made me learn a couple of songs and then in eighth grade, she still said no.
She made me take lessons, but I think she kind of regrets it because I don't really play anymore. When I was little, all of my friends were playing football and they were all hanging out, and I had to just sit and watch them. Now I am grateful she made me wait though.
I played just enough piano to play football. I had to wait until I was a freshman in high school.
I am from Laie, Hawaii. It is a small town. Bradlee Anae is from there and Malik Haynes and Keala Santiago are from not too far down the road.
It is a small community and everybody is pretty close. If you do something down the road, your mom will hear about it before you get home.
Growing up, I always wanted to play football, but my mom wouldn't let me until I got old enough.
When I was in seventh grade, I asked her if I could play and she said no again – at least not until I learned to play the piano. So, she made me learn a couple of songs and then in eighth grade, she still said no.
She made me take lessons, but I think she kind of regrets it because I don't really play anymore. When I was little, all of my friends were playing football and they were all hanging out, and I had to just sit and watch them. Now I am grateful she made me wait though.
I played just enough piano to play football. I had to wait until I was a freshman in high school.
I am from Laie, Hawaii. It is a small town. Bradlee Anae is from there and Malik Haynes and Keala Santiago are from not too far down the road.
It is a small community and everybody is pretty close. If you do something down the road, your mom will hear about it before you get home.
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