Shalom Luani
Shalom Luani (born August 5, 1994) is an American football safety for the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL). He is better known worldwide for his *ociation football career, having scored against Tonga in American Samoa's first-ever win in FIFA-sanctioned play. Luani, who now plays as a forward, scored twice for American Samoa in November 2011, making him (at the time) the country's joint–top goalscorer of all time with fellow forward Ramin Ott.
He played college football at Washington State, and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft. His American football career has also encomp*ed spells at *a'itua High School, Chabot College, and the City College of San Francisco.
Contents
- 1 *ociation football career
- 1.1 Club career
- 1.2 International career
- 1.2.1 Under-20
- 1.2.2 Senior side
- 1.2.3 International goals
- 2 American football career
- 2.1 College career
- 2.2 NFL career
- 2.2.1 Oakland Raiders
- 2.2.2 Seattle Seahawks
- 2.2.3 Los Angeles Chargers
- 2.2.4 Houston Texans
- 2.3 USFL career
- 3 Personal life
- 4 References
- 5 External links
*ociation football career
Club career
Luani has played for ASFA Soccer League club Tafuna Jets since 2009, along with his brother Sumeo. In October 2011, Luani scored a hat-trick in Tafuna's 4–4 draw with Atu'u Broncos.
In February 2011, Luani played for the *a'itua Vikings in the inaugural ASHSAA Boys' Futsal tournament, held at Samoana High School. The Vikings won the tournament after defeating Tafuna Warriors 5–4 on February 22. Luani's brother Roy was also playing for the Vikings and Shalom *isted his sibling for the game's opening goal before scoring a free kick himself. The American Samoa Football Federation suggested that the brothers were the difference between the two teams, saying: "Shalom Luani was everywhere, whether it be defending or *isting on goals while his older sibling's tenacity, nose for the ball and no fear play were huge keys in winning the first ever Futsal championship in ASHSAA history".
On May 7, 2012, Luani played for the *a'itua Vikings in the final of the ASHAA Boys' Soccer Championship, against Samoana Sharks at the Veterans Memorial Stadium in Pago Pago. Shalom scored to help his side to a 3–2 win and the Championship *le, although the forward was injured and taken to hospital following a collision with Samoana's Palauni Taposua. Despite missing some of the game, Luani was voted the match's MVP, an award that was collected by his father Peni*o.
International career
Luani represented American Samoa at the North Harbour Stadium in Albany, New Zealand during the 2011 OFC U-17 Championship.Under-20
Luani made his debut for American Samoa's under-20 team in a 7–0 loss to Vanuatu on April 21, 2011. He made his second appearance for the side in a 5–1 defeat against Papua New Guinea two days later. Luani's third and final game for the U-20 side came in a 5–1 loss to Fiji on April 25, 2011. All three games came in the 2011 OFC U-20 Championship in New Zealand. Luani played in defence during the tournament and wore the no.3 shirt for American Samoa.
Senior side
Following his performances for the under-20 side, Luani was called up to the American Samoa senior team for the 2011 Pacific Games by coach Iofi Lalogafuafua. Luani's under-20 teammates Suani Uelese, Frederick Charles Uhrle, Ismael D'Angelo Herrera, Moe Kuresa and Daru Taumua were also called up the squad.
Luani made his debut for the senior side in their opening fixture of the tournament, in a 4–0 to Tuvalu on August 27, 2011. Playing as a forward, he was replaced late in the game by subs*ute Lemusa Alatasi. He earned his second cap three days later in a 4–0 loss to the Solomon Islands, this time playing the full ninety minutes. Luani also played ninety minutes in all of American Samoa's remaining group stage matches, a 2–0 loss to Guam on September 1, an 8–0 defeat to New Caledonia two days later and another 8–0 loss, to Vanuatu, on September 5, 2011.
Following American Samoa's elimination from the Pacific Games, Luani earned his sixth senior cap in American Samoa's historic 2–1 victory over Tonga on November 23, 2011. Luani scored his first international goal by chipping Tonga goalkeeper Kaneti Falela in the second half to give American Samoa a 2–0 lead. The win was American Samoa's first ever in a FIFA-sanctioned match. Luani continued this form into the next match, against the Cook Islands on November 25, 2011. He gave American Samoa the lead in the first half after dispossessing Cook Islands defenderNathan Tisam and beating goalkeeper Tony Jamieson. This goal, Luani's second in international football, made him American Samoa's joint–top scorer of all time, tied with Ramin Ott. Luani's eighth senior international appearance came in American Samoa's 1–0 loss to Samoa on November 27, 2011, with the result knocking them out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Luani revealed that he almost didn't feature in the match due to American football commitments, saying "I play for my high school and we have a play-off match at the same time as this tournament. I left it up to the coaches to decide what was best for me. I will just take whatever opportunity comes up."
In March 2012, Luani was selected as part of American Samoa's U-23 Olympic squad, along with his brother Roy. Luani played for the side on March 18, 2012 in a 7–1 loss to Fiji in an Olympic qualifier. Two days later Luani opened the scoring for American Samoa in another Olympic qualifier against the Solomon Islands on March 20, 2012. The goal would prove to be his side's only bright spot in a 16–1 loss.
International goals
American football career
Luani began his American football career as a defensive back for the *a'itua Vikings, representing *a'itua High School and wearing the number 21 jersey for the team. Competent in both *ociation and American football, Luani has stated "I am keen to keep playing both at the moment because I am not sure which one will be my best option for the future. I would like to make a career in one but I don’t know which yet, I guess I will find out later on."
At the age of 15, in September 2009, Luani was named the Junior Varsity division's MVP, being selected by the coaches of other teams. He earned the accolade for his "perfectly executed trick plays" that helped the Vikings to an undefeated season.
In June 2010, Luani represented *a'itua in an under-18s Rugby Sevens tournament held at the Veterans Memorial Stadium in Pago Pago. Luani was voted the tournament's MVP as *a'itua won the cup, defeating Leone Whites 7–0 in the final. *a'itua's head coach, Tuiaua Pio Grohse, suggested that Luani had been the difference between the two sides in the final, saying "They had a very good team, and we had a hard time scoring against them until a minute and a half left in the game, when Shalom Luani crossed the try line and added a score for our team".
On December 31, 2011, Luani represented American Samoa in a Samoa Bowl match against Hawaii. American Samoa eventually won 34–28 after double overtime, with Luani scoring the final touchdown to seal his country's victory.
In February 2012, Luani was included in an American Samoa All Star Team for an under-19 Junior Oceania Bowl championship match against Australia. The winner would represent the World Team against Team USA at the IFAF World Championship in June 2012.American Samoa won the match 93–7, with Luani scoring on a punt return, an interception return, a two-point run and an extra point kick.
In June–July 2012, Luani represented the American Samoa under-19 American football team at the 2012 IFAF U-19 World Championship, playing in his country's 27–6 loss to first seed United States on June 30 and being named American Samoa's MVP for the match. He made his second appearance of the compe*ion in a 51–0 win over Panama on July 3. Luani played a prominent role in the victory, *isting five of his team's eight scores and scoring a 23-yard field goal. Luani then played in American Samoa's 27–14 victory against France in the fifth-place play-off on July 7, 2012.
Having joined Chabot College of California in June 2012, Luani was part of the team's roster for the 2012–13 season. Chabot suffered a poor start to the campaign, losing their first four games, but in October the side embarked on a six-game win streak that saw them undefeated until mid-November. By September 2013 Luani was playing for the City College of San Francisco; he starred in a 61–0 win over Fresno City College in October 2013. CCSF ended the season with an 11–2 record, earning a regional *le, and Luani was unanimously named Bay 6 Conference Defensive Player of the Year by the conference's coaches as well as gaining All-California Region and junior college All-American First Team accolades.
"With the way he runs with the ball after those interceptions, he'd be our best running back if he didn't play defense."
George Rush, City College of San Francisco football coach, December 2014
College career
By the end of 2014, Luani had established himself as a bright talent on the college circuit and was rated a four-star prospect. In December, he spurned scholarship offers from Illinois and Oregon State to join the Washington State Cougars; he had initially committed to Oregon in August but flipped his commitment after the departure of their head coach. At the time of his signing by WSU, intended to improve their struggling defense, Luani had already been recognised by national media. Described as "highly regarded in recruiting circles" by the Cougars, he was ranked 38th on the ESPN JC50, 19th overall junior college player by Scout.com and as the country's top junior college safety by 247Sports. Luani's signing was positively met by Cougars fans.
In October 2015, Luani was named Pac-12 defensive player of the week, the first such accolade for a Cougar player since 2013; having made an "immediate impact" according to the Seattle Times, the American Samoan had started every game of the season.
NFL career
Oakland Raiders
Luani was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round, 221st overall, in the 2017 NFL Draft, making him the first American Samoa-born player to be drafted by the organization. In the 2017 season opener against the Tennessee *ans, Luani successfully recovered a surprise onside kick to begin the game.
Seattle Seahawks
On September 1, 2018, Luani was traded to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2019 seventh-round draft pick. He was waived on September 12, 2018 and was re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted back to the active roster on September 15, 2018. He was waived on August 31, 2019.
Los Angeles Chargers
On October 9, 2019, Luani was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on November 2, 2019. He was waived on November 30, 2019.
Houston Texans
On December 4, 2019, Luani was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Texans on January 13, 2020. He was waived on July 27, 2020.
USFL career
Luani was drafted by the New Jersey Generals in the 18th round of the 2022 USFL Draft. He was transferred to the team's inactive roster on April 30 due to a leg injury. He was transferred back to the active roster on May 12.
Personal life
Luani is the son of Peni*o and Niukini Luani and, like his parents, hails from the village of Masausi. Luani graduated from Masefau Elementary before attending *aitua High School. In June 2012, Luani was one of 32 of the island's students who were honoured in the Student-Athlete Ceremony of Recognition where student athletes officially signed on with the colleges of their choice; Luani joined Chabot College in Hayward, California.
Luani's brother Roy, who is a year older, is also an *ociation footballer and also plays as a forward. Roy has played for the American Samoa under-20 side but is yet to appear for the senior team. The two also played alongside each other for the *aitua High School American Football team. Luani has family in North Carolina, but had hardly met them before moving to the United States in 2012. Of Luani's personality, his coach at San Francisco, George Rush said in 2014: "He's quiet, kind of shy, very polite, very respectful. The success he's enjoyed hasn't tainted any of that."
In 2016, he was involved in an altercation outside of a Domino’s Pizza in Pullman when his order allegedly took two hours. Prosecutors declined to press charges, saying there was not enough evidence to show Luani wasn't defending himself.
References
External links
- Washington State Cougars bio