December 15, 2000
Outlaws add former UNLV standout to roster: Late
Thursday, the Outlaws added former UNLV offensive
lineman Lonnie Palelei to the roster, utilizing one of
the team’s four banked “territorial” selections
entering the December 29 Supplemental Draft. The move
marked the third consecutive day that Head Coach Jim
Criner added players to the Las Vegas roster, with
Palelei joining LB Mike Crawford (Dolphins), WR Cedric
Tillman (Broncos/Jaguars) and RB Clinton Childs
(Jets/Chiefs) joining the Outlaws fold. Palelei will get
his first look at the Outlaw system when Training Camp
opens at Sam Boyd Stadium on January 2.
Palelei, a veteran offensive lineman following seven NFL
campaigns, started 12 games for the Philadelphia Eagles
in 1999 and brings exceptional versatility to Criner’s
offensive line, as the 6-4, 310 lb. Samoan has the
ability to line up at all five offensive line positions.
Originally drafted into the NFL during the fifth round
(the 135th selection overall) by the Steelers in 1993,
he went on to spend two-plus years in Pittsburgh before
making stops in Cleveland/Baltimore and in New York with
both the Jets and Giants before moving to Philadelphia.
Palelei has started 26 career games, 12 with the Eagles
last year and 14 with the Jets in 1997.
Palelei becomes the second UNLV Rebel on the Outlaws’
roster, joining former UNLV WR Todd Floyd. The 30-year
old offensive lineman played the first three years of
his college career on the defensive line before
switching to guard as a senior, when he earned
first-team All-Big West honors in 1992. In his first
year as a Rebel, Palelei earned honorable mention
all-conference as a junior, his first season at UNLV
after transferring from Purdue following his sophomore
season.
Personal: Born Si’ulagi Jack Palelei on October 15,
1970 in Nu’uuli (new-u-uli), America Samoa as one of
13 children, each of whom have the middle name Jack,
their father’s name … Moved to Los Angeles at age 13
and then to Blue Springs, MO, a suburb of Kansas City,
during high school … Was recently honored by the
Maryland Governor’s Office in April, 2000, for coming
to the rescue of an elderly victim of a violent crime in
1998 … The 56-year old woman was brutally attacked and
left to die on the shoulder of I-95 until Palelei and
his family stopped, comforted the woman and called for
help. Said a modest Palelei, “It seems crazy to get an
award for something you’re supposed to do. My wife
made me go to the ceremony.” … Earned All-America
honors as a defensive lineman at Blue Springs HS, while
also lettering in track … Enjoys shooting pool,
snowboarding and surfboarding … He and his wife have
three children … Majored in Kinesiology while at UNLV.
Name - Pos - Date - Injury - Restrictions
Brady, Rickey - TE - 11/14/00 - Strained lower back - Meetings only
Mason, Michael - DE - 12/9/00 - Inflamed left knee - Meetings only
Lane, Randall - WR - 12/10/00 - Strained right hamstring - Injured reserve
Scott, Kevin - DC - 12/20/00 - Strained right elbow - Meetings only
Edwards, Antonio - DE - 12/11/00 - Strained lower back - Meetings only
Minicamp notes from
[Dec
10 | Dec
12 |
Dec 13 | Dec
14 | Dec 15] |
