A Washington high school player, who hailed from an NFL family dynasty, has died under tragic circumstances last week.
Deejay Tuiasosopo, 16, was killed by an alleged drunk driver just hours after playing a game for Federal Way High School’s football team in Federal Way, Washington, on October 23, Federal Way Police Department confirmed to The Daily Mail.
Tuiasosopo, a junior who was in his first season with the school’s football team, had dreams of becoming a state champion as he chased becoming the next football star in his decorated family.
He was standing on a sidewalk when he was hit by a car that had smashed into another vehicle at a nearby intersection at around 10:48pm local time.
Tuiasosopo was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 29-year-old man was reportedly arrested on a vehicular homicide charge for allegedly being under the influence.
The Major Accident Investigation Team are continuing to investigate the crash. Police were unable to disclose any further details at this time.
Deejay Tuiasosopo, a high school football player, was killed by an alleged drunk driver Friday. Source: Kathlyne Tuiasosopo Utu / Facebook
The 16-year-old reportedly had dreams of winning a state championship in football. Source: GoFundMe
The incident took place less than a mile away from Federal Way Memorial Field where Tuiasosopo and the Federal Way High School Eagles defeated White River High School just hours earlier.
Tuiasosopo, 220-pound running back and linebacker was set to graduate high school in 2028, had dreams of becoming a successful athlete.
‘He was serious about his sports; he had dreams, he wanted to be a state champion,’ his teammate David Rodriguez told KOMO. ‘And the fact he can’t do that, that’s just, it just feels sad.’
Tuiasosopo comes from a family of successful football players. Manu Tuiasosopo, the brother to Deejay’s grandfather, was a first-round pick in the 1979 NFL Draft selected by the Seattle Seahawks.
Manu went on to join the San Francisco 49ers in 1984 and won Super Bowl XIX with the franchise the following January.
Manu’s son, Marques Tuiasosopo, was also an accomplished football player, earning 2001 Rose Bowl MVP honors.
Marques also went on to join the NFL ranks, playing eight seasons in the league for the Oakland Raiders and the New York Jets as a quarterback.
Two of Manu’s other sons with wife Lisa were also serious athletes. Zach Tuiasosopo was a fullback for the Huskies in the early 2000s and had tryouts for NFL team but never played a regular season game in the league.
Tuiasosopo, pictured with his mom Nellie, died after being hit by a car on the sidewalk. Source: GoFundMe
His grandfather’s brother was former Super Bowl champion Manu Tuiasosopo
Matt Tuiasosopo was a former utility player in Major League Baseball, including a stint on the Seattle Mariners.
Their daughter, Leslie, is the head coach of the University of Washington’s women’s volleyball team.
Tuiasosopo’s aunt, Kathlyne Tuiasosopo Utu, set up a GoFundMe page after receiving ‘an overwhelming number of inquiries about this fundraiser from people who have expressed their desire to support Deejays mother, Nellie and his three younger siblings during this unimaginable time.’
‘In a matter of moments, our world was shattered,’ she wrote. ‘Two cars involved in a collision spilled onto the sidewalk where Deejay was standing to cross the street while heading to a fellow brother’s home after the game. Tragically, due to the reckless driving, Deejay never made it across the street.’
She added: ‘We are deeply grateful for every prayer, every message, every donation, every kind gesture, and every person who has offered to support. Your generosity and kindness mean more to our family than words can express. Thank you for standing alongside our family and helping us honor the life and memory of Deejay.’
A memorial was created along the fencing near the section of the highway where Tuiasosopo was killed on Saturday.
His teammates, friends and family members left candles, flowers and signs, with others later releasing paper lanterns on Saturday evening.
