What BYU’s Sione Po’uha Learned from His Father’s Example
When Sione Po’uha—star defensive lineman for Utah and later the New York Jets, and now an assistant coach at BYU—reflects on his life and career, he attributes much of his character and values to his father, Sonasi Po’uha. In a recent Church News profile, Po’uha shared how his father’s teachings on faith, family, and hard work continue to guide him on and off the field .
Sonasi immigrated from Tonga to the U.S. in the mid‑1970s with little English, but an unwavering devotion to his family and his faith. He labored diligently at odd jobs and regularly served in the Salt Lake Temple, embodying the fatherly ideals of “preside, provide, and protect” found in The Family: A Proclamation to the World .
For Sione, those principles weren’t just theoretical—they were a way of life. As a young boy, he watched his father balance multiple jobs, church duties, and family responsibilities with quiet determination and humility. He learned that leadership doesn’t have to be loud—sometimes it’s found in showing up, day in and day out, for the people who rely on you.
That legacy carried Sione from East High School in Salt Lake City to a standout college career at Utah, followed by seven seasons in the NFL with the Jets . Now, as a coach at BYU, he strives to “carry on his father’s example of preside, provide and protect,” both in mentoring young men and in guiding them spiritually and personally .
Whether in practice, on game day, or at home, Po’uha exemplifies the values his father demonstrated: service, faith, and consistent, humble leadership. His story is not only about sports—but about legacy—passing timeless principles from one generation to the next.
