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The University of Utah Athletics
Why U Play: John Penisini & Leki Fotu
9/27/2019 3:08 PM | Football
Our Beginning
What was your earliest memory of football?
John Penisini: It was when we moved out here from California. I was about eight and all of my cousins were in little league. It made me want to play.
Leki Fotu: Just watching my older brothers play back in California in high school. Watching them, I wanted to follow in their footsteps.
What it was like getting to grow up close to the University of Utah?
JP: Growing up, I was in a house full of boys, like 12 of them and they were all Utah fans. The BYU, Utah rivalry was huge in the house and all of my cousins were Utah fans. I always knew I wanted to be a Ute.
LF: There is kind of a funny story to it. Moved out here from California, but didn't really know much about Utah until they started talking to me. They offered me and I knew this was the best choice for me – to be close to my Mom and my family. Then there is the history of d-line.
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What was your earliest memory of football?
John Penisini: It was when we moved out here from California. I was about eight and all of my cousins were in little league. It made me want to play.
Leki Fotu: Just watching my older brothers play back in California in high school. Watching them, I wanted to follow in their footsteps.
What it was like getting to grow up close to the University of Utah?
JP: Growing up, I was in a house full of boys, like 12 of them and they were all Utah fans. The BYU, Utah rivalry was huge in the house and all of my cousins were Utah fans. I always knew I wanted to be a Ute.
LF: There is kind of a funny story to it. Moved out here from California, but didn't really know much about Utah until they started talking to me. They offered me and I knew this was the best choice for me – to be close to my Mom and my family. Then there is the history of d-line.
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Players Mentioned
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