Former Spartan Domata Peko Inducted into Polynesian Football Hall of Fame
1/22/2024 10:11:00 AM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Former Michigan State defensive tackle Domata Peko was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame as part of the 2024 class in a ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 20 in Honolulu.
A two-year letterwinner (2004-05) for the Spartans, Peko played in 23 games wearing the Green and White. He started all 11 games at defensive tackle during the 2005 season and led the Spartan defensive line with 53 tackles, including three for losses and one sack, to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades. He also had two fumble recoveries, including a 74-yarder for a touchdown against Michigan, to go along with one blocked kick, a forced fumble and a pass break-up.
Peko played his first two collegiate seasons at College of the Canyons, a junior college in Santa Clarita, California. He earned JUCO All-America honors as a sophomore after recording 62 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
Following his collegiate career at MSU, Peko was selected in the fourth round (No. 123 overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft by Cincinnati, and he went on to play 11 seasons (2006-15) for the Bengals. Peko also spent two seasons with the Broncos (2017-18) and one year each with the Ravens (2019) and Cardinals (2020) for a total of 15 years in the NFL. He played a total of 214 career games, including a remarkable 194 starts at defensive tackle, and racked up 616 tackles, 47 tackles for loss and 20 sacks.
Peko, who is from Pago Pago, American Samoa, attended Samoana High School. His brother Tupe was a two-year starter at offensive tackle for the Spartans (1999-2000) and played three seasons (2002-04) in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts.
Peko joins former Spartans Bob Apisa and Charlie Wedemeyer as members of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.
About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame: The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia's greatest players, coaches, and contributors. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center and was established in 2013 by Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma'a Tanuvasa. There are currently 44 inductees. For more information, visit PolynesianFootballHOF.org.
A two-year letterwinner (2004-05) for the Spartans, Peko played in 23 games wearing the Green and White. He started all 11 games at defensive tackle during the 2005 season and led the Spartan defensive line with 53 tackles, including three for losses and one sack, to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades. He also had two fumble recoveries, including a 74-yarder for a touchdown against Michigan, to go along with one blocked kick, a forced fumble and a pass break-up.
a certified Domata Peko moment pic.twitter.com/lIykQG3mDJ
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) January 21, 2024
Peko played his first two collegiate seasons at College of the Canyons, a junior college in Santa Clarita, California. He earned JUCO All-America honors as a sophomore after recording 62 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
Following his collegiate career at MSU, Peko was selected in the fourth round (No. 123 overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft by Cincinnati, and he went on to play 11 seasons (2006-15) for the Bengals. Peko also spent two seasons with the Broncos (2017-18) and one year each with the Ravens (2019) and Cardinals (2020) for a total of 15 years in the NFL. He played a total of 214 career games, including a remarkable 194 starts at defensive tackle, and racked up 616 tackles, 47 tackles for loss and 20 sacks.
one of the best to ever do it!
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) January 21, 2024
congrats, @DomataPeko 👏 pic.twitter.com/6A5LKF5N3M
Peko, who is from Pago Pago, American Samoa, attended Samoana High School. His brother Tupe was a two-year starter at offensive tackle for the Spartans (1999-2000) and played three seasons (2002-04) in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts.
Peko joins former Spartans Bob Apisa and Charlie Wedemeyer as members of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.
About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame: The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia's greatest players, coaches, and contributors. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center and was established in 2013 by Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma'a Tanuvasa. There are currently 44 inductees. For more information, visit PolynesianFootballHOF.org.
Congratulations to Class of 2024 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Inductee, @DomataPeko! 🤙🏽🌴 pic.twitter.com/2kdn2jfhoR
— Polynesian Football (@PolynesianFBHOF) January 21, 2024
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