2021 has been a very tough year for professional athletes. It seems like there have been more deaths this year than any other year.

Unfortunately, tragedy most recently strung the Philadelphia Eagles. It was announced yesterday that former Eagles player Tu’ufuli “Duke” Kalapu Uperesa had passed away. You can read the obituary below.

Tu’ufuli “Duke” Kalapu Uperesa was many things to many people. Tough as nails, he had a big heart and always rooted for the underdog. He was an accomplished athlete, from his days as a four-sport All-State and All-American at ‘Aiea High School in Hawai’i, to being elected co-captain of the 1968-69 championship teams with University of Montana, where he earned All-Conference honors each year and an All-American Honorable Mention. He played briefly for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles and then went on to play for several CFL teams, including the 1976 Ottawa Rough Riders team that won the Grey Cup.

Once retired from professional football, he returned to American Samoa where he dedicated many years to enriching the lives of youth through athletics and education. There he taught high school for many years and coached sport teams, including multiple championship football teams. He also trained track and field athletes, and was part of American Samoa’s delegations to several Olympic Games and South Pacific Games. He was an active sports administrator locally, from his time at ASCC to ASHSAA, in addition to organizing events for the Cancer Society and Special Olympics. Although he struggled with illness at the end, his was an exceptional journey. We are grateful he is now resting with the Lord.

Tu’ufuli was the son of Fa’anofo Tu’ufuli Misa and Sepelini Uperesa, and brother to Misionare Uperesa, Vaitupu Taufa’asau, Virginia Ativalu, Vaitupu Misa, and Roxanne Maumasi. He is survived by his wife Talosia Esau Uperesa and their children Derek, Dart, and Eirene, together with his children Duke, Lisa, Fele, Baladar, and their mother Kristin Nybo Uperesa, as well as his oldest, Belle. According to his wishes, he will be cremated and taken to places that were important to him, and celebrated by those who knew and loved him. Montana was one of those places, and Big Sky country was close to his heart.

In other Philadelphia Eagles news, current tight end Zach Ertz has been the subject of trade talk for the entire off-season. When will Ertz be traded and where will he end up? Check out the video below to get some more inside information on the situation.

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