Stan Mataele
{{Short description|American football player (born 1963)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Stan Mataele
| number = 94
| position = Nose tackle
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1963|06|24|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Tonga
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lb = 278
| high_school = Kahuku {{nowrap|(Kahuku, Hawaii, U.S)}}
| college = Sacramento CC (1983–1984)
Arizona (1985–1986)
| draftyear = 1987
| draftround = 8
| draftpick = 197
| pastteams =
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1987)*
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|1987}})
| highlights =
- Second-team All-Pac-10 (1986)
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 2
| pfr = MataSt20
}}
Stan Mataele (born June 24, 1963) is a Tongan former professional football nose tackle who played one season in the National Football League (NFL) for the Green Bay Packers. He played college football at Sacramento City College and Arizona and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the eighth round of the 1987 NFL draft.
Early life and education
Mataele was born on June 24, 1963, in Tonga.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MataSt20.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Stan Mataele Stats|access-date=March 28, 2018|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070447/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MataSt20.htm|url-status=live}} He and Lakei Heimuli were the first Tongan players in the NFL.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/friv/birthplaces.cgi?country=Tonga|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=List of all NFL Players Born in Tonga|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=May 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513022435/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/friv/birthplaces.cgi?country=Tonga|url-status=live}} He grew up in Hawaii and enjoyed surfing, weightlifting, playing rugby football and playing piano.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star/133499497/|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 19, 1985|page=9, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star/133499688/ 12]|title=Pro surfing's loss is UA football's gain|author=Magruder, Jack|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018212043/https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star/133499497/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1986/09/12/arizonas-mataele-goes-from-hang-10-to-front-3/cd8d901b-a598-4e21-a594-e54281becebc/|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Arizona's Mataele Goes From Hang 10 to Front 3|date=September 12, 1986|author=Wilbon, Michael|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018212053/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1986/09/12/arizonas-mataele-goes-from-hang-10-to-front-3/cd8d901b-a598-4e21-a594-e54281becebc/|url-status=live}} He attended Kahuku High School but did not play sports there.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee/133500200/|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 12, 1984|page=58|title=Surfer makes waves in hammer circle|author=Golding, Tod|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018212054/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee/133500200/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
When visiting a family member in Sacramento, California, Mataele decided he liked the city and opted to enroll at Sacramento City College.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic/133501268/|newspaper=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 15, 1986|page=22|title=Cat-quick study|author=Shappell, Lee|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018212057/https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic/133501268/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} At Sacramento City College, he was spotted one day while lifting weights by the American football coach, who asked him if he had ever played the sport before. He wanted to try out the sport, so he lied and said that he did play. However, Mataele said that the first day in practice, the coach "immediately knew I hadn't." He was still kept on the team, however; the Arizona Republic said that "The fact that Mataele can bench press 505 pounds might have entered into the decision."
A defensive end, he was able to earn All-California junior college honors at Sacramento. He also tried out for the track and field team and made it as a participant in the hammer throw; although he struggled at first, he became a top player for the school by the midway point of his first season, winning a state meet with a state community college record.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee/133502544/|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 13, 1984|page=2|title=Mataele heaves way into track finals|author=Golding, Tod|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018212600/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee/133502544/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He later broke his own record and reached the Northern California hammer throw finals. Following the 1984 football season, he committed to continue his career with the Arizona Wildcats.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star/133502690/|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 22, 1984|page=36|title=Two JC players sign UA football letters|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018212605/https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star/133502690/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
Mataele entered the 1985 season as a backup at nose tackle, later moved up to the starting role, and then shifted to defensive tackle. He helped them place second in their conference in yards-per-game allowed and first in points-per-game allowed.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner/133503231/|newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 29, 1986|page=97|title=Things looking rosey as Arizona improves|author=Crumpacker, John|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018212611/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner/133503231/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He also joined the Arizona track and field team, setting the school record for hammer throw. As a senior, he was selected second-team All-West Coast, second-team All-Pac-10, and was invited to the Hula Bowl after leading the Pac-10 with 10 and 1/2 sacks.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tucson-citizen/133506670/|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 26, 1986|page=37|title=Cornerback's injury gives Cephers shot|author=Petruska, Dave|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018213123/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tucson-citizen/133506670/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesman-journal/133506789/|newspaper=Statesman Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 25, 1986|page=28|title=Miller, Preacher all-stars|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018213123/https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesman-journal/133506789/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin/133506884/|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 23, 1986|page=17, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin/133507069/ 20]|title=Aloha Bowl Brings Wildcat from Laie Home|author=Blauvelt, Harry|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018213121/https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin/133506884/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser/133507123/|newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 10, 1987|page=19|title=41st Hula Bowl Today|author=Lewis, Ferd|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018213121/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser/133507123/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
Professional career
Mataele was selected in the eighth round (197th overall) of the 1987 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1987nfldraft.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=1987 NFL Draft|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008124050/https://www.profootballarchives.com/1987nfldraft.html|url-status=live}} He signed his first contract on July 19, but was released on August 12.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel/133507693/|newspaper=Sun Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 20, 1987|page=20|title=Bucs sign final draft picks; rookies start practice today|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018213623/https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel/133507693/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times/133507831/|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 12, 1987|page=37|title=Bucs release four rookies|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018213623/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times/133507831/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} When the National Football League Players Association went on strike, Mataele was signed as a replacement player by the Green Bay Packers to play nose tackle.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/118214302/|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 29, 1987|page=26|title=Sketches|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018213624/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/118214302/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He appeared in two strike games, against the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles as a backup, before being released at the end of the strike.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MataSt20/gamelog/|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Stan Mataele Career Game Log|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018213624/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MataSt20/gamelog/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerm/mata00400.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Stan Mataele Stats|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018213624/https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerm/mata00400.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactionsm/mata00400.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Stan Mataele NFL Transactions|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018213625/https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactionsm/mata00400.html|url-status=live}} He returned to the Packers in April 1988, but left the team in July 1988, ending his professional career.
Personal life
Mataele has five children.{{Cite web|url=https://unohracers.com/sports/wvball/2012-13/bios/Brooke_Mataele|publisher=University of Northwestern Ohio|title=Brooke Mataele|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018213627/https://unohracers.com/sports/wvball/2012-13/bios/Brooke_Mataele|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Buccaneers1987DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mataele, Stan}}
Category:Players of American football from Honolulu
Category:Green Bay Packers players
Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:University of Arizona alumni
Category:Arizona Wildcats football players
Category:Sacramento City Panthers football players
Category:Arizona Wildcats men's track and field athletes
Category:Tongan players of American football
Category:Pacific Islander American players of American football