THERE'S no question that Jesse Sapolu left his heart in San Francisco. Sapolu is sure this
will be his last seasonA role model for Hawaii's youth, Sapolu has assumed two more roles -- as an experienced back-up offensive lineman for the 49ers and a poster boy for those who underwent heart surgery.
I had a chance to talk to the former University of Hawaii and Farrington High star after the 49ers' game against the Atlanta Falcons at 3Com Park in San Francisco last Sunday.
Released by the 49ers after heart surgery to repair a leaky aortic valve, Sapolu is back where he belongs -- with the 49ers, his one and only NFL team.
If there were any hard feelings at being let go by the 49ers, Sapolu didn't show it.
"The reason I'm here is because of my hard work. The 49ers didn't hand me anything, they didn't owe me anything. When the 49ers wanted me to move somewhere else to fill a gap, I moved. That's my sacrifice to my team. I did it from my heart -- the heart with a valve that was leaking."
Despite being a 15-year veteran, Sapolu re-signed for only $275,000 to play this season, which he feels sure will be his final one.
"The reason I didn't agree to the contract right off the bat was that they had to give me some good incentives because I wasn't willing to leave that golf course," Sapolu said.
MORE seriously, Sapolu wants that fifth Super Bowl championship ring to put a nice finishing touch on his career.
"That's the No. 1 reason I'm here. And the fact that playing 15 years sounds really nice. Not too many people have accomplished that. And, after the heart operation, I felt I didn't get a chance to really say goodbye to 3Com Park and everywhere else."
But what makes Sapolu's comeback even more remarkable is the unprecedented return from a heart operation to playing again in the NFL.
"Nobody has ever done it before and so I felt it was a challenge. There are some kids out there with a leaky aortic valve. It gives them hope that they too can fulfill their dreams. I didn't come back and sit on the bench. I came back and started right away," Sapolu said.
"To the medical profession it's a step forward. And I think it caps my career. I was against the odds when I first started. It's like I'm confronted with the odds again at the end of my career."
Sapolu said he felt weird standing on the sidelines during the opening kickoff. "It's the first time I didn't start in 11-1/2 years."
He played only four snaps in the first half -- lining up at left tackle on the 49ers' kicking team. Then, at the start of the fourth quarter, Sapolu played right guard.
On the very first play, Chris Dalman, who took over Sapolu's job at center, went down with an injury and Sapolu went to center for the rest of the game.
"My thinking was, gee, the center position doesn't want me to play anywhere else," said Sapolu, who made the Pro Bowl as both center and left guard.
HE'LL be playing center and both guard positions during the year, giving the 49ers a dependable back-up with a lot of savvy. And he should log more playing time now that guard Derrick Deese has apparently won the starting job at left tackle following his performance against Atlanta.
"I'm going to play the role that the 49ers want me to play. Some of the young guys are going to realize how hard it is to start every Sunday. Just in case one of them gets hurt, I'm here. I've proven I can play week in and week out," Sapolu said.
Even if the 49ers go all the way to Super Bowl XXXII, Sapolu thinks this is his final year.
"This might be it for me. I really enjoyed the off-season with my kids. It was the first time my kids felt like I was turning into a real father," said Sapolu, who has four youngsters, three from his first marriage.