Seiuli Manase “Jesse” Sapolu is a legendary figure in professional football, best known for his remarkable 15-year career with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played a pivotal role in four Super Bowl championships. Born in Samoa and raised in Hawai‘i, Jesse was a cornerstone of the 49ers’ dynasty through the 1980s and 1990s, excelling as both a center and offensive guard. His journey to greatness began at Farrington High School, where he earned All-State Lineman honors, and continued at the University of Hawai‘i, where he was a three-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection and an All-American.

Jesse’s impact on the game extended beyond his versatility on the field. He is one of only six players in 49ers history to earn four Super Bowl rings (1984, 1988, 1989, 1994) and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection. His excellence was further recognized when he was named an All-Pro in both the center and guard positions (1994, 1995). In one of the most inspiring comebacks in NFL history, Jesse returned to play after undergoing open-heart surgery, earning the prestigious NFL Ed Block Courage Award in 1997.

Off the field, Jesse has dedicated himself to giving back. He became a spokesperson for the American Heart Association in 2015 and 2016, raising awareness for groundbreaking research and preventive screenings for athletes. His autobiography, I Gave My Heart to San Francisco, chronicles his journey from the islands to the NFL, inspiring generations of young athletes. In 1995, he made history as the first athlete chosen by a graduating class to deliver the University of Hawai‘i’s commencement address.

A champion for the next generation of Pacific Islander athletes, Jesse is the Co-Founder and Chairman of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame and Polynesian Bowl, which celebrates the contributions of Pacific Islander players to the game. Through his Men In The Trenches Lineman Academy, he has helped over 250 high school linemen secure college scholarships, paving the way for their futures.

Jesse and his wife, Lisa, continue to shape young athletes’ lives through Sapolu Destined Academy, a private school in Southern California. This institution blends elite sports performance training with academic excellence, welcoming both local and international student-athletes from across the globe, including Asia and the Pacific.

As the 2024 NFL season began, Jesse marked his 39th year with the San Francisco 49ers—fifteen years as a player and twenty-four as the Coordinator of Alumni Events and Community Relations. He resides in Orange County, California, with Lisa, their daughter, three sons, and nine grandchildren, continuing to inspire and uplift the next generation of athletes.