Tui'Tamaha Halaufia
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By Alisi
Jackie Robinson and Tui'Tamaha Halaufia both achieved many things in their lives. Jackie broke the color barrier and was a very talented baseball player. Tui'Tamaha , who happens to be my grandpa, had both the courage and the motivation to succeed despite the racial challenges he would face. Tui'Tamaha was one of the first Tongans on an NFL team (Chicago Bears). He also boxed Mike Tyson and was offered to train with him. Instead, he chose to stay and take care of his family. He was a professional boxer and his nickname was the Hawaiin Punch.
Tui'Tamaha was a fearless man and so was Jackie. They both had similarities, as well as differences. For example, they both were fearless and always kept going even when times were tough. My Grandpa used to say, "Procrastination is the assassination of motivation." What he used to say has really helped me and maybe you too. It also says in the Tribute Archive, "Tui was fearless, hardworking, adventurous, and dedicated to the ones he loved most." This tells me that Tui was fearless and always kept going and loved his family very much. My mom would tell me so many stories about how big of a heart he had, and I know Jackie did too. Jackie was also fearless. For example in Promises to Keep, by Sharon Robinson, it shows a threatening note Jackie received that said, "Robinson we are going to kill you if you attempt to play a ball game at Crosley Field." This tells me that Jackie was fearless and still went to the game despite the threats he received. In Promises to Keep it also says, "Hey Jackie, there's your cousin clowning on the field. Years later, Dad (Jackie Robinson) told me he was furious, but that he responded by smacking the ball for a double." This explains that Jackie kept going even when people taunted him. Both Tui and Jackie Both were fearless and kept going.
Jackie and Tui both had differences too. For example, Jackie was born in Georgia, but my grandpa was born in Tonga. According to The Jackie Robinson Foundation, "Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia, the son of a sharecropper and grandson of former slaves." This tells me that Jackie was born in America. It says in the Tribute Archive, " Tui was born on August 14, 1947 in the kingdom of Tonga on the Island of Vava'u." This lets me know where Tui was born, Tonga. Tui and Jackie also played different sports. The Tribute Archive says, "Tui' Tamahas legacy of greatness continued from being a Utah State Football star." "A chance to play for the Chicago Bears." This tells me that my grandpa truly was a football star. In Promises to Keep it says, "He then played baseball for the Negro Leagues for the season (1945)." This lets us know that Jackie played baseball before crossing the color barrier in the majors in 1947.
In conclusion, both Jackie and Tui had many similarities and differences. For example, they both were born in different places but they both were fearless and always kept going. They accomplished many things in their lives, such as breaking the color barrier and being one of the first Tongans to play on an NFL Team. So Ofa Lahi Atu grandpa!!
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