Sione Fua

High school career

A native of the San Fernando Valley, Fua attended Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, California. He did not play football until high school, but quickly became the varsity's best two-way lineman. As junior in 2004, Fua did not give up a quarterback sack and helped Crespi win the CIF Southern Section Division X championship. As a senior, Fua had over 60 tackles and eight sacks, while Crespi repeated as division champs, defeating Lompoc 24–14.

Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was listed as the No. 47 defensive tackle prospect in the class of 2006. He chose Stanford over offers from Brigham Young, California, and Oregon.

Besides football, Fua was also an accomplished wrestler. Competing in the heavyweight division, where he constantly had to keep his weight below the 275-pound (125 kg) maximum, Fua won a CIF State Wrestling Championship as a senior in 2006. He beat fellow Polynesian Romney Fuga of Huntington Beach Edison High School, who himself became a nose tackle at Brigham Young. Fua became the only wrestler from the San Fernando Valley to win a state title.

College career

Fua enrolled in Stanford in 2006. In his true freshman year, Fua played in all 12 games and finished with 16 tackles, including seven solo stops. He then missed the 2007 season while on a LDS Church mission, but retained a year of eligibility. Fua returned for the 2008 season and played in all 12 games with seven starts. He recorded 17 total tackles, including 11 solo.

As a junior, Fua started the last 11 games of the season at defensive tackle and finished with 24 tackles, including 3.0 for loss, and 1.5 quarterback sacks. He earned an honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection.

2011 NFL Draft

Projected to be a fourth-round selection, Fua was listed as the No. 15 defensive tackle in the 2011 NFL Draft by Sports Illustrated. The scouting report acknowledged he "displayed consistent progress" in college and "possesses the skill and potential to break into a starting lineup," but raised concerns about his marginal productivity in college.

Carolina Panthers

Fua was selected with the 97th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. After starting in eleven games for the Panthers in 2011, he was placed on the injured reserve list on December 6.

Fua was cut on August 31, 2013. He re-signed on September 11, 2013. In the week of November 8, the Panthers announced that they would be switching Fua to the guard position. On November 12, Fua was waived by the Panthers.

Denver Broncos

Fua was signed by the Denver Broncos on November 27, 2013 following an injury that led to starting defensive tackle, Kevin Vickerson, to be placed on injured reserve.

Cleveland Browns

Fua was signed by the Cleveland Browns on October 14, 2014, following a season-ending ACL injury to defensive end Armonty Bryant.

Personal life

Sione Fua is of Tongan descent, the oldest son of George and Helen Fua. His younger brother, Alani Fua, is a linebacker on the Arizona Cardinals.

His father, George Fua, of San Mateo, played tight end for Ricks College, San Joaquin Delta College, and Cal State Northridge in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He went undrafted in the 1991 NFL Draft and briefly played professional football in the Arena Football League, with the Sacramento Attack and Miami Hooters. He now operates a construction company in Northridge, California.

Since August 2012, Sione Fua is married to Ivy (née Avanessian) of North Hills, who currently attends University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry.