American Samoa-born NFL player Frankie Luvu gave his parents, Veresa and Faaloiloia Luvu, a glimmer of happiness after completing what his older brother had started.
The NFL player became a US citizen in 2024, making it easier for his parents to become US citizens.
Before Frankie, his oldest brother, Frazier, had begun the process of getting US Citizenship, but unfortunately, before completing the process, Frazier committed suicide in 2021.
Luvu, 28, who went undrafted in 2018, found his first NFL home with the New York Jets.
After two seasons with the Jets, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers, and after three seasons, in 2024, he joined the Commanders.
The linebacker has turned himself into a vital player for the Commanders in his first season.
He has registered 99 tackles, eight sacks, and an interception in the 2024 regular season, and now he could be heading to the Super Bowl.
Against the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round, Luvu recorded nine tackles and a fumble recovery.
He was also fined $16,883 for his block on the Lions’ quarterback, Jared Goff, during their 45-31 victory.
Luvu was also fined another $16,883 for a hip-drop tackle on Jahmyr Gibbs, bringing his total to $33,766.
The linebacker will feature for his team against Jalen Hurts’ Philadelphia Eagles in the Championship round on Sunday night.
There is no doubt that the linebacker is hoping to become the first American Samoa to become a Super Bowl Champion.
Frankie Luvu’s Parents Tried Their Best Despite Their Financial Conditions
In an interview with Charlotte Observer, the NFL player Frankie Luvu talked briefly about his parents.
The linebacker explained that his parents didn’t have the strongest financial condition but still wanted their children to have the best education.
With all they had, Veresa and Faaloiloia Luvu sent their kids to a private school, a struggle they were willing to accept.
Frankie Luvu and his parents hail from the group of islands called American Samoa.
Those born on this US territory are considered nationals at birth but not citizens. So, in short, they do not have equal rights as any US citizen.
In his interview with Charlotte Observer, the linebacker talked about the struggles of getting US citizenship and how it would impact his parents. He said:
I want to help sponsor them, to allow them to also get citizenship. It will be easier for them to do what with mer already as a citizen.
via: Charlotte Observer
In 2017, Luvu’s parents traveled from Pago Pago, American Samoa, to Pullman, Washington, to watch their son play against Stanford.
That was the first time in four years that Frankie’s family had seen him play football live.
This also marked Frankie’s father, Veresa’s first flight from American Samoa to the mainland.
After the game, an overwhelmed Frankie mentioned his dad, saying, “It’s emotional for me because he’s always trying to work. So I’m excited my brothers got him to come up. He looks excited quickly.”
The Seattle Times mentioned that Veresa worked at a tuna canner, making it difficult for him to come up.
Frankie’s mother, Faaloiloia Luvu, graduated from Leulumoega Fou College and is available on Facebook.
The mother-to-eight has shared a few pictures on her Facebook handle but remains mostly inactive.
Commanders Linebacker Frankie Luvu Had A Strong Bond With His Oldest Brother
Frankie Luvu is the youngest of eight kids of Veresa and Faaloiloia Luvu.
Frankie’s oldest brother, Frazier Luvu, was ten years older than him.
The NFL player said he idolized his oldest brother growing up in an interview with The Athletic.
The linebacker said Frazier was like his twin, and he followed him closely.
When Frankie was in the Pac-12 and later debuted in the NFL, Frazier was working in a warehouse loading shipping containers in Alaska.
In his interview, Franie revealed Frazier had attempted suicide in early 2021.
Frankie and his siblings rushed to Alaska after hearing the news and later, Frazier lived for a while with Frankie in Phoenix.
The two brothers enjoyed their time in Phoenix and when Frazier returned to Alaska he texted Frankie and told him he would visit him again in Phoenix.
A few days after sending that text, Frazier died by suicide on March 6, 2021, at age 34.
Frankie has a tattoo, on his right torso, a portrait of Frazier smiling, while wearing a baseball cap.
Underneath the picture is the date of Fraizer’s death in Roman numerals: III-VI-XXI.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Washing Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu’s father’s side family hails from Fiji. In 2023, Frankie and his parents traveled to Fiji during the off-season.
- Previously, in an interview, Luvu revealed he breaks down the defensive huddles with a traditional Samoan war chant.
