Fab 50: Jesse Sapolu

Former UH offensive lineman Jesse Sapolu is profiled as part of the Advertiser's list of the top 50 sports persons/teams/people who helped change or shape the landscape in Hawai'i sports since 1959.

"Playing on 'Monday Night Football', I knew there were thousands of young kids watching. Whenever I was on TV being interviewed I had to carry myself in a positive manner," said Sapolu, a two-time Pro Bowler who played guard and center from 1983-97 with the 49ers. "At the end of the day those kinds of things influence kids more than any block I made on the field.

"Now, when I do endorsements — I've been retired for over 12 years — and companies come up to you because they want you to be a spokesman for their company because of the way you conducted yourself off the field, 12 years later, that carries a lot more than Super Bowls, Pro Bowls and other accomplishments. Then maybe I did walk the right path."