Actual bloodlines
Epenesa has an interesting upbringing and heritage, as The Gazette in Iowa previously highlighted. He comes from a Samoan background as his father, who’s full name is Epenesa Epenesa, “Eppy” Epenesa for short, is a native of American Samoa. Eventually Epenesa ended up in Edwardsville, Illinois. The U.S. Census estimated that the “Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders” were 0.1 percent of the areas 12,959 residents. So… the Epenesas. Eppy moved there in 1999 with his wife.
But as The Gazette mentions, that doesn’t mean they aren’t welcomed. In fact, they’re among the most notable families in their home community. Eppy Epenesa goes as far to invite members of the community to their large backyard throughout the summer for workouts and cookouts. Eppy explained he did so for his own kids.
“I started doing this because if my kids had to train by themselves, how not fun is that?” Eppy said. “Friends help each other stay fit. We have about 50 kids. By the time they get to the coaches, these guys are ready. They’re running everywhere, they’re flying everywhere.”
In fact, here’s a video of the workouts:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-dsgrvE8G8&w=560&h=315]
Also if you’re wondering, American Samoa and football? In the words of Eppy:
“Football is the real deal in Samoa,” Eppy said. “It’s like the Dominican Republic for baseball. It’s pretty serious stuff.”