Hebron Fangupo was born on July 19, 1985 in Santa Ana, CA. His parents had come to the U.S. to attend college. His grandfather, who is the Minister of Health for Tonga, never had the opportunity to go to college, but he worked hard to build restaurants and a boat service between the islands. He is a big believer in having all his children and grandchildren have college degrees The word "Tonga" means "South" and it is the most south island of all the Polynesian islands (Hawaii is the most north, nearer to the mainland US.) It once was part of Great Britain, so almost everyone speaks English. Hebron's family has a large farm. His mother and father were concerned about what life was like in the US. Hebron was a young boy best in all that he does so he can earn money and one day support his mom. Hebron really loves his mom and family and would sacrifice his body and mental strength for them. he saw that his parents had to work hard to earn money and that is a factor that encourages him to do his best and do good in sports and in athletics so he can support his family one day. When Hebron was 8 years old he returned back to Tonga from the U.S. to help his parents with the farm. While at Tonga Hebron saw how hard his parents had to work and he was motivated to help them somehow in the future. Hebron was able to play Ruby at a side school in Tonga. Finally around age 17 Hebron went to American to do his senior year of High school and was encouraged by his mother to try American Football.
Sent to live with uncle for high school in Santa Ana, CA, mother encourages him to play football: When Hebron returned to America for his senior year of high school he was the age of 17. Hebron said he decided to start playing football because his mom thought that it would give him an opportunity for a scholarship for his education. Hebron came to America and attended Century High school in Santa Ana California and played foot ball for that school. On his first football tryout he walked on the field bare foot ready to play foot ball. Hebron started football playing Defensive End and fullback, Hebron weighed 215 when he started football. Gaining weight in the form of muscle was challenging for Hebron, but it was even more rewarding when his daily workouts started to payoff and help him gain the necessary weight in muscle that he needed in order to play at a higher level. During one of the football practices Hebron blocked this kid so hard that the kid was lunged up into the air and slammed back down to the ground like a hammer. Many kids were astonished by this and gave Hebron the nickname "The Hammer". Still today Football players at Century High remember Hebron as the Hammer. After playing American football for the first time in his senior year of High school Hebron told his mom that he didn't really like football. Hebron was excited to serve a mission for the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints after his senior year of High school. Hebron put aside his scholarships to BYU, Oregon, Florida State, LSU, Arizona State, CAL, and UCLA to serve the lord.
Hebron decides to put football on hold and serve a LDS Mission to the Philippines.
Hebron knew that serving a mission was a great responsibility and commandement to be fulfilled to the lord for two years. Hebron had faith and knew that he would be blessed for his doings and that the lord will help him with his goals. When I interviewed Hebron I asked " What made you decide to go on a LDS mission rather than to train for football?" and he answered and said " I decided to go on a mission because I felt it was more important to serve God who had given me everything than to pursue my own selfish desires ". On another account when I was interviewing Hebron he said" If I do my best then the lord will help me with the rest." So as you can tell another important factor that helps Hebron is faith. When Hebron returned home from his mission he took his moms motivation and advice to play football again. Gets into Mt San Antonio Community College to play football, 2007 and 2008
How Hebron got into and played for USC and attended it in 2009 and 2010
After playing for Mt. Sac Hebron was being recruited by BYU and he was very interested in BYU because he was a returned missionary and he would appreciate being surrounded by temples and church. Hebron told his mom "I prayed and fasted and the Lord told me there was somewhere else I needed to go.” Hebron did not know where he needed to go but one day one of his fellow friends told him that he should check out the college University of Southern California. Hebron checked his long list of schools interested in him but did not find USC anywhere on the list, so Hebron(Loni) decided to step up and do things on his own.
One day Loni went to a USC practice and jumped the 10-foot wall surrounding the practice facility and crossed the field to go and talk with defensive coordinator Nick Holt. Loni said this in his own words “I jumped down and I looked at Coach Holt,they had a player who was a senior who was going to the league (NFL), and I told him I’m here to replace Fili (Moala). I just told him straight up. He kind of brushed me off and I grabbed him by the arm and I said, ‘I’m the man,’ and he said, ‘Well, if you come in you have big shoes to fill,’ and I said, ‘Well, I have big feet.’" The next day Holt and a few other coaches went to watch Loni practice at Mt. SAC and were impressed with what they saw. The next day Loni received a phone call with an offer for a full-ride scholarship to USC. Another reason Loni had to play for USC was because his sister was close by the campus. Loni said “ It was important for me to stay near my sisters who had just come to Southern California from Tonga for school." Loni was transferred to USC in the fall of 2009. When I interviewed Loni I asked him what were some of the main challenges preparing for the football season and he said "Following my college years it's been a little challenging to maintain a steady weight, but my motivation is my family and I will do whatever it takes to provide for them." During Loni's USC practices he was able to sometimes see celebrities show up to the practices and some of these celebrities included people like Snoop Dogg, Magic Johnson, and Will Ferrell. Many people realized Loni's religious differences and respected him for them. The coaches were noticing the standards that Loni had. One major part of doctrine in the LDS(Mormon) religion is called the word of wisdom which tells of what is bad for you and what you should not eat or drink this include alcoholic drinks. Coach Pete Carroll would sometimes call surprise practices on Saturdays for the team because he knew a lot of them were drinking on Friday and would run them and make them throw up. Coach Carol would say "You should’ve been with the Mormons last night. Loni what do you call it? The Word of Wisdom? Yeah, you guys need to learn about the Word of Wisdom.’ " Loni said "Over there I got a lot of opportunities to teach people about the gospel.” During Loni's time at USC he worked hard and stood firm to his standards. Loni's Football season for USC started off really good but he soon had ankle injuries.
Hebron meets and marries Rebekah Wolfgramm June 2010, only one married on USC team
When Loni was at USC his older sister ran into a young woman named Rebekah Wolfgramm. Loni's older sister met he in court for speeding tickets. Rebekah's grandmother Linda was having a conversation with Loni's sister and asked her if she had a brother and they looked up Loni's recruiting video on YouTube. Rebekah started dating Loni after they met at a Tongan church dance. They dated for only about three months then one day Loni asked Rebekah to marry him on the grounds of the LDS San Diego Temple. Loni told Rebekah in tears " I would quit Football for you if you asked me to." Rebekah responded by saying " I will marry you only if you marry me for Eternity." Loni and Rebekah got married on June 19, 2010.
Why Hebron Transferred to BYU Football, Jan 2011, prepares all summer for the fall.
One day when Loni was at practice someone tried to break into his apartment with his wife Rebekah in it. shocked at this Loni ran to his apartment with one of his teammates to make sure Rebekah was alright. After this incident and other unsafe problems near USC Rebekah and Loni fasted and prayed and descided that they should move to Utah and that Loni should play Football for BYU. I had an opportunity to spend time with Rebekah and Loni when he played for BYU. It was a tough and very poor time they would eat a lot of top ramen and make tuna sandwiches. I noticed that they were strengthened by these hard times and because of those times they are now able to manage money very well. One thing that Loni told me about money is this " If you spend your money like your poor then you will be wealthy, but if you spend your money like your rich then you will become poor."
Hebron plays for BYU fall 2011, as starter for almost all games.
His grandfather, who is the Minister of Health of Tonga, was able to attend his first football game when he was on his way to the UN to seek support for vaccinations for the island of Tonga. He was welcomed to a BYU game. One of the best things that motivated Loni sometimes was his family support. Every time Loni's mom attends one of his games Loni can spot her in the crowds. It doesn't matter how large a crowd may be as long as his mothers in it he can spot her. When Loni went to BYU he meant a lot to the team. At the time BYU’s run defense was staunch, and Loni had to buy in to the system. Most of the time Loni spent snaps at defensive end more than being a nose tackle. BYU ended up finishing with the 13th best defense nationally. BYU held Tulsa at 72 rushing yards and Tulsa was a team that averaged over 200 rushing yards per game. BYU has a very good linebacker named Kyle Van Noy who had 9.5 tackles and 5 for a loss who caused havoc on the edge that game. This happened because Loni was there on the edge too occupying any extra blockers and Hebron had 2 tackles himself. When Loni was at BYU he helped the team in many ways and was a very successful starter.
Hebron and Rebekah had their first son, Feb 2012, Hebron finished his college in Sociology
Taulanga was born on March 3, 2012. The birth of Loni's son was a major impact for both him and his families lives. Loni named his son Taulanga (Same name as Loni's father) because he wanted to name his son after his father. Loni would often joke about having 16 or more children to raise up into a football team. Having a son for Loni is a whole new level in his life. Loni wants to make sure his children will be raised right and to become successful in what ever they try to pursue in.
Not Drafted, Worked with Agent as Free Agent, Signed with Houston Texans April 2012
Everything for the Texans seemed to be addressed as way of players was addressed at the draft except for a two gapping nose tackle who can control double teams and seem immovable. The Texans decided to pickup Hebron the undrafted free agent to be a possible nose tackle on May 14, 2012. Unfortunately Loni was not what the Texans wanted. Maybe the Texans didn't have much room on the team or other difficulties may have arose but for what ever reason Loni was let loose by the Texans on August 31,2012.
Signed on with SeaHawks for practice squad, then makes team
On September 11, 2012 the Seahawks added Loni to there practice squad. After showing hard work and dedication on the practice squad Loni was moved to the Seahawks active roster on December 20,2012. After Loni was in the active roster for the Seahawks for a little while the Seahawks made a tough decision causing them to trade Loni to the Pittsburgh Steelers. So as you can tell Loni was not steady or truly comfortable in an NFL team yet.
Hebron Practiced Hard to earn a spot on the Steeler team, summer 2013
Hebron was traded to the Steelers by the Sea Hawks in June, and the Steelers had a break before they began the serious training in the fall. In August all NFL football teams must cut to only 53 players. Steelers had almost over 75. Loni had to beat out another player, Ta'Amu for the position of back up defensive tackle and nose guard. All though Loni seems to have a lot of talent he still works really hard even when he has a break. He does not look at breaks to be times to rest and be lazy but instead he uses his break to his advantage. He doesn't sleep in but wakes up at around 6:30 am to lifts weights and at 8:00 am he runs and conditions himself and runs again later on in the day and lifts weights around 3:00 pm. In the summer of 2013 his dead period or in other words break is Loni did these sorts of things. I went with Loni to the track at my high school Savanna in Anaheim, California. At the track I timed him as he ran some sprinting drills. Hebron is really fast for his size even to the point that it amazes me. After I timed his drills and did drills with him we lifted weights together and went back to my Aunt and Uncle's house. The first thing we did was jump in the pool and I can tell you from the hard work-outs that I experience you won't know how good it feels to jump in a pool after hard training until you actually do it. During summer football my team would first lift weights and then go outside in football pads and do drills. I asked my Coach, Coach Whalen if my cousin with the Steelers could lift weights with us and the coach said he would really like it if he would also come and talk to the kids about hard work and dedication. During the talk he referred to me and said in a joking manner " Do any of you know Zion?" and everyone said "Yes" and then Hebron said "If any of you mess with my cousin Zion I will mess you up." I found this funny but at the same time I know he has my back and I am going to make sure I have his. Loni returned to Pittsburgh and was nervious because he didn't Know if he will make the team for the steelers because it was around the time when the NFL coaches let loose some of the players or in other words cut some of players. Loni would go to the weight facility and lift weights to try and get his mind off of the cuts being made. One day Loni was called to the coaches office and he was super nervious because he thought they were calling him in to cut him. When he entered the office he was very scared to the point of sweating. When he was told he made the team he just burst with tears and cried because of all of the hard work and suffering he went through for that very moment in time. When Loni went home he was still crying and Rebekah his wife was very worried because she thought he was crying because he got cut but when he told her the good news she burst with tears too. On the month of August in 2013 Loni made the Pittsburgh Steelers team.
Why the Steelers chose Hebron over Ta'Amu for back up Defensive Tackle and Nose Guard, Aug 2013.
The NFL rookie Ta'Amu was a really talented Football player but unfortunately for him he had a couple of personal flaws which included excessive drinking habits. On the other hand the NFL rookie Hebron Fangupo is a determined Football player who is willing to do what ever it takes to become successful which means doing what it takes to eventually also become a starter in the NFL. The coaches for the Steelers were worried about Ta'Amu and his drinking habits and police reports. The coaches started losing faith in Ta'Amu and eventually lost all hope for him and his decisions. The Steeler coaches finally decided to claim Hebron Fangupo from the Seahawks wavers and they also decided to let lose Ta'Amu. Eventually Ta'Amu went to the Arizona Cardinals with the #66 on his back. And as you know the other NFL rookie Hebron Fangupo went to the Pittsburgh Steelers with the #92 upon his back.
What might be in the future for Hebron? Counseling? Coaching? Helping Youth?
Today Loni is still working hard to provide for his family and support his parents. Loni loves his current team the most out of all of the teams he's been on. Loni told me"I've enjoyed the Steelers the most because its a very family oriented environment and they have many activities and such that cater to family." Loni once said this to me "I work hard to make my family and God proud." To me this shows that when you do something for a greater purpose or reason then you have a greater strength to go father and accomplish more than you expect yourself to be able to do. I wrote this story on Loni so it can motivate people to do or work hard for a greater purpose so they can be successful likewise. One thing I noticed about successful people like Loni is that you never give up no matter what the circumstances might be. One well known quote that I like is "Hard work beats talent when talents not working hard." In Loni's case its both hard work and talent and also working hard for something greater. I would like to conclude my story by sharing this quote " When you live for a strong purpose, then hard work isn't an option. It's a necessity."- Steve Pavlina
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