Former Utah DT Leki Fotu’s Favorite Moment On Draft Day Was Seeing Mother’s Reaction
May 10, 2020, 3:46 PM | Updated: 4:03 pm
Utah Utes defensive tackle Leki Fotu (99) celebrates after sacking California Golden Bears quarterback Spencer Brasch (13) during the game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
(Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former Utah Utes defensive tackle Leki Fotu had his life changed forever on Saturday, April 25 when he was taken in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.
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It didn’t just change his life but the lives of the members in his family.
The Arizona Cardinals took Fotu in the fourth round with the 114th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
He told the Crimson Corner podcast what the phone call was like when he found out he was an NFL player.
“When I got the phone call I was shocked for a quick second realizing after seeing the other phone calls on TV and social media and going through that in real life was something special for me and my family and to have them be there with me enjoying the moment and being a part of it,” Fotu said. “It was something big for my family from what we have been through already, to get that phone call and to join a great team, I was just full of excitement and joy.”
Mammoth frame
Rugby background@LekiFotu— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 25, 2020
When he was asked about his first thoughts that came through his mind as he was getting drafted, he said it was his mother’s reaction.
“My very first thought was just knowing that something that my family has helped me out with and to get me where I am today, just to see my mom’s face and reaction knowing all of the hard work is slowly paying off,” stated Fotu. “For me to see that from my mom and understanding what she did and all of her sacrifices for my family, just to get that reaction and the first thing was seeing how happy she was. Knowing that I am doing something that we all had a goal for.”
It has been a lifelong dream of mine to play in the NFL and to have the opportunity to play for such an amazing organization like the Arizona Cardinals is beyond exciting. I’m ready to get to work! See you soon #RedSea @AZCardinals
— Leki99 (@LekiFotu) April 27, 2020
You can listen to the full interview with Leki Fotu on the Crimson Corner podcast below.
Fotu and 11 other Utah football players were either drafted or signed with an NFL team as an undrafted free agent.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.
