By JONATHAN HUNTINGTON, EDMONTON SUN
Joe Anoai’s family has made a name in the WWE.
Now, the 23-year-old import defensive tackle wants to make a name for himself with the Edmonton Eskimos.
Anoai has been added to the club’s practice roster, making his debut yesterday afternoon at Clarke Park.
After having brief training camp stints in the NFL with Minnesota and Jacksonville, Anoai has been out of football for nearly a year.
“My agent is good friends with (Edmonton director of player personnel) Paul Jones,” said the six-foot-three, 280-pound Georgia Tech product.
The fact that Edmonton is very thin at defensive tackle in terms of depth also helped him land a spot in the CFL.
Besides starters Dario Romero and Jim Davis, the Esks only have rookie Tyler Clutts – who was ineffective in the preseason – for depth at defensive tackle on the active roster.
But it’s Anoai’s family tie to the WWE that is attracting the most interesting media questions right now.
His father (stage name Sika) and uncle (Afa) formed the Wild Samoans tag team several years ago.
Anoai’s brother and cousin also have WWE wrestler on their resume.
But another cousin might be the most famous.
“(He) wrestles under the name Umaga,” said Anoai. “He is really good. He actually fought for the belt last Wrestlemania.
“He lost, but he has done very well.”
Anoai actually admits he might turn to a WWE career when his football career is over.
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