Jonathan Fanene

Jonathan David Fanene[1] (born March 19, 1982) is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at College of the Canyons and Utah.

Jonathan Fanene
No. 68
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1982-03-19) March 19, 1982
Pago Pago, American Samoa
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:285 lb (129 kg)
Career information
High school:Tafuna
(Tafuna, American Samoa)
College:Utah
NFL Draft:2005 / Round: 7 / Pick: 233
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:103
Sacks:13.5
Fumble recoveries:3
Player stats at NFL.com

College career

While attending the University of Utah, the Utes were able to win the 2005 Fiesta Bowl by defeating the University of Pittsburgh 35-7. At Utah, his jersey was number 91. He was a Sociology major.

Professional career

At the NFL Combine, Fanene had impressive scores. In the 40-yard dash, Fanene posted a 5.3 time. He also completed a 410-pound bench press.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals drafted Fanene with the 233rd overall pick in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft.[2] Fanene was back living in American Samoa during the draft. Once Fanene arrived in Cincinnati, he received number 68. As a Bengal, Fanene was a teammate of Domata Peko, another Samoan-born player. Fanene was quoted in the Cincinnati Post about the new members:

"To be honest, it does make me more comfortable," said Fanene. "I'm used to being around different races but seeing the same nationality around you and having your friends from back home, it makes me happy to work with them."

(The quote was in reference to Domata Peko and Matt Toeaina, both Samoan-born players on the Bengals at the time; however, Matt Toeaina was cut during the 2007 season.)

Fanene was slowed by injuries including a hamstring injury in the off-season prior to the 2006 campaign. Fanene was able to play in four of the final five games of the 2006 season. On February 22, 2008, the Bengals and Fanene reached an agreement on a three-year extension.

New England Patriots

On March 14, 2012, Fanene signed with the New England Patriots for three years, $12 million with a $3.5 million signing bonus.[3][4][5] He was released with a "failure to disclose physical condition" designation on August 21, 2012.[6]

Political career

Fanene had served as the Director of the American Samoa Department of Youth and Women's Affairs.[7] His employment was terminated by American Samoa's acting Lt. Gov Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga after Fanene was arrested for a May 26, 2019 incident where Fanene physically assaulted his wife and sister in front of his own son.

Personal life

Fanene is a member of a family with 12 children, and is married to his wife Lorelei. Fanene resides in Dayton, Kentucky, a small town across the Ohio River from Cincinnati.[8] They have a son, Truman. Fanene is of Samoan descent.

References
  1. "Jonathan Fanene". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  2. "2005 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  3. "Reports: Fanene agrees to terms". March 14, 2012.
  4. "Reports: Opinion DL Fanene to Pats". March 14, 2012.
  5. "Report: Fanene excited to Join Patriots". Archived from the original on July 23, 2012.
  6. "Jonathan Fanene released by New England Patriots". NFL.com. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  7. "Fanene endorsed by the House to lead DYWA | Samoa News". Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  8. "Cincinnati Bengals: Jonathan Fanene". The Cincinnati Bengals. 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
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