Friday, July 30, 1999

Sagapolutele cut by Saints By Pat Bigold Star-Bulletin The contract of one of Hawaii's most experienced National Football League veterans has been terminated. Former Pac-Five and San Diego State standout Pio Sagapolutele, who has played eight years in the NFL, was let go yesterday by the New Orleans Saints. His termination leaves Hawaii with 14 players in the league. Sagapolutele, whose contract ran through 1999 with no option, had been with the Saints since 1997 when he was signed as a free agent. Sagapolutele was dropped from the Saints' 90-man roster to make room for strong safety Sammy Knight, who signed a five-year contract yesterday. Working against the 6-foot-6, 297-pound defensive lineman was the fact that he was sidelined the entire 1998 season with a triceps tear. He had started 13 of the 14 games in which he saw action in 1997. He had 35 tackles and two sacks. Sagapolutele is currently suffering from a right elbow injury. He entered the NFL in 1991 as a fourth-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 1991. He was with the Browns until 1995. Sagapolutele signed with the New England Patriots in 1996, starting in the 1997 Super Bowl against the Green Bay Packers.