Bob Apisa (1963)

College football All-American Michigan State University

What is Bob Apisa (1963) known for?

Bob Apisa, a notable alumni of Farrington High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, was born in Fagatogo, American Samoa and moved to Hawaii when he was seven. An American football player, Apisa played as a fullback, beginning his football career in the ninth grade. Additionally, he also practiced baseball and track.

Apisa's football career blossomed when he accepted a scholarship to Michigan State University, where he made his mark as a fullback. Despite facing several injuries and surgeries, he managed impressive stats with 126 carries for 715 yards and 10 touchdowns in his sophomore season. In his junior year, he had 86 carries for 445 yards and 9 touchdowns. However, due to recurring knee injuries, his senior year saw a drop in performance with 50 carries for 183 yards.

What's remarkable is that he was the first player of Samoan ancestry to be named an All-American and he achieved this prestigious recognition twice, in 1965 and 1966. Apisa was part of two national championship teams in the same years. His efforts weren't left unnoticed; he was inducted into both the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

Apisa's professional career saw him being drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 1968 NFL Draft, but unfortunately, he was waived later that year. Post his football career, Apisa spent over three decades working as a character actor and stunt coordinator in numerous television series and films.

As an interesting personal detail, Apisa's grandson, Jacob Isaia, also walked down his path, becoming an offensive lineman for Michigan State University and California State University, Fresno.

Today, Bob Apisa stands as a proud example of resilience and determination for the students of Farrington High School, inspiring the next generation of athletes and actors alike.