Spencer Folau's parents met when his mother, who is from Wyoming, was a nurse in the Peace Corps
SPENCER FOLAU
T
PRO
Career Stats
A key free agent signing for the Saints last year, Folau won the starting right tackle job in training camp and opened 14 games at right tackle and two at right guard in relief of an injured LeCharles Bentley. Folau is a tough, athletic lineman who has played in 61 NFL games, with 39 starts.
2002 - Started all 16 games for the first time in his career, 14 at RT and two at RG...Started at RT in games 1-9 and 12-16...Started at RG in games 10-11, when LeCharles Bentley suffered from sprained ankle, bringing Victor Riley into starting lineup at RT.
2001 - Started 15 games at LT and served a reserve role once...Made his first start as a Dolphin vs. Oakland, Sept. 23...Made his Dolphin debut playing in a reserve role at LT at Tennessee, Sept. 9...Started playoff game vs. Baltimore, 1/12/02...Appeared in all five preseason games as a reserve.
2000 - Played in 11 regular season games for the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens with four starts, including three at RT and one on the left...Also saw action in two playoff games in a reserve role, playing in the AFC Championship Game at Oakland, 1/14/01 and in Super Bowl XXXV vs. the N.Y. Giants, 1/28/01.
1999 - Had one start for injured Harry Swayne (ankle) at Tennessee, Oct. 10...Saw most extended action vs. the Rams, Sept. 12, and Titans, Oct. 10...On inactive list at Cleveland, Nov. 7, vs. Buffalo, Oct. 31 and vs. Kansas City, Oct. 21 due to a knee injury suffered in practice during bye week...Ended game at LT for injured Jonathan Ogden in the 19-13 overtime win at Atlanta, Oct. 3.
1998 - Started final three games at RT for an injured Orlando Brown...Helped pave the way for 153 rushing yards in the Ravens 19-10 win over Detroit, Dec. 27, as the line did not permit a sack...Made first NFL start at right tackle vs. Minnesota, Dec. 13...On inactive list for 11 games (was not on roster for Jaguars, Nov. 11, as he was waived on Oct. 28, and re-signed, Nov. 3).
1997 - Saw action in 10 games, primarily on special teams...Active, but did not play vs. Arizona, Nov. 23...Inactive for five previous contests...Saw first offensive action of the season in reserve duty, as well at special teams action, in 36-10 win at Tennessee, Sept. 21.
1996 - After signing as a rookie free agent, he spent the last half of the season on the Ravens' practice squad, then joined the Rhein Fire in the World League...Started at left tackle for an offensive line (the 7-3 Fire) that allowed only one QB sack in the regular season, which was ruled a slip by the quarterback...The Fire advanced to the World Bowl against the Barcelona Dragons (a 38-24 loss).
Career Transactions
Agreed to terms with the Saints on a two-year contract, 3/26/02; Signed by Miami, 7/28/01; Re-signed by Baltimore, 11/3/98; Waived by Baltimore, 10/28/98; Re-signed to Baltimore's practice squad, 10/30/96; Waived by Baltimore, 8/26/96; Signed by Baltimore as an undrafted free agent, 4/26/96.
College
Former defensive tackle who made the successful conversion to offensive tackle...As a senior in 1995, Spencer was an honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference selection...Started all 23 games of his senior and junior years at defensive tackle...Recorded 70 tackles, seven for losses, a forced fumble, three pass deflections, and three sacks as a sophomore in 1993...Started three games at defensive tackle as a freshman in 1992...Redshirted in 1991 due to a fractured ankle suffered in all-star game during the summer of 1991...Majored in General Studies.
Personal
Led Sequoia (Redwood City, Calif.) HS in tackles for two seasons, totaling 91 as a senior...Also played tight end, catching 18 passes for 300 yards...Recipient of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame Certificate for Scholar, Citizen and Athlete...Before signing with the Ravens as a free agent, Spencer was working for his father's landscaping business in Redwood City...A native of Tonga, an island nation in the South Pacific, his parents met when his mother, who is from Wyoming, was a nurse in the Peace Corps...Spencer and his wife, Heather, have a daughter, Hannah...Last name is pronounced fo-lau (rhymes with "how")...Full name: Spencer Sione Folau...Born April 5, 1973 in Nuku Alofa, Tonga.
