[SBR Lou]

Former NFL Player Dies at Age 39

Pio Sagapolutele, a former player for the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints, passed away after a massive stroke and heart attack Sunday. The Samoan-born defensive lineman was only 39 years old.

Sagapolutele was born in American Samoa, grew up in Hawaii, and attended San Diego State University before being selected by the Browns in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played 92 games in seven seasons, amassing seven career sacks and 89 solo tackles. He started at right defensive tackle in Super Bowl XXXI for Bill Parcells' Patriots. A bevy of injuries forced Sagapolutele to retire in 1999.

Off the field, Sagapolutele did some great work for underprivileged youth in both California and Hawaii -- running football camps for some children whose parents may not have been able to afford various summer football camps.

[TheIntegrityKid]

its always the good ones that go early... sad news...

somewhere out there, there's a kid who is better off thanks to Pio.. thats enough of a reason for us to feel saddened by his loss