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Kamehameha alumnus
Freitas has Peyton’s back
Archie Manning and Rockne Freitas were never teammates in the NFL, but they got to know each other well through a mutual friend, Tom Dempsey. Dempsey, the record-setting kicker, visited Freitas in Hawaii often, and sometimes Manning came along.
Back when they played in the 1970s, Manning and Freitas had no way of knowing their sons would be teammates a generation later on a team called the Indianapolis Colts.
Indianapolis left tackle Makoa Freitas will likely spend nearly all of today's playoff game against Kansas City on the sideline. But his Colts teammates, especially quarterback Peyton Manning, know they might not have gotten this far without him.
Playoff schedule
All times Hawaii timeDivisional round
Yesterday
>> Carolina 29, St. Louis 23, 2OT
>> New England 17, Tennessee 14
Today
>> Indianapolis at Kansas City, 8 a.m. (KGMB)
>> Green Bay at Philadelphia, 11:45 a.m. (KHON)Conference championships
Next Sunday
>> Indianapolis/ Kansas City winner at New England, 10 a.m. (KGMB)
>> Carolina vs. Green Bay/Philadelphia winner, 1:45 p.m. (KHON)Super Bowl
Feb. 1
>> AFC champ vs. NFC champ at Houston, 1:25 p.m. (KGMB)
The rookie from Kamehameha and Arizona started six games when veteran Tarik Glenn was out with an injury. Indianapolis won four of them.
"He's done a good job. He's one of those guys you really don't have to worry about," Manning said earlier this season. "He worked at center, right and left tackle during camp and all of a sudden, he's thrown in at left tackle -- probably the roughest spot. It's been an admirable job by him."
Manning was so appreciative of the job Freitas did protecting his blind side that he gave Freitas a trip home to Hawaii during Pro Bowl week. Freitas said he appreciates the gift, but is not sure if he can accept it because of other commitments.
"I'm getting married in March, so there's a lot of preparation," Freitas said.
Preparation is what the 6-foot-4, 307-pound Freitas is all about. He said paying attention in unit meetings and watching lots of tape paid off when he was called on to start in Week 3 against Jacksonville.
His father was an All-Pro left tackle twice during his career with the Detroit Lions. His success also came from being ready; he passed the attribute on to his son, along with a name synonymous with football (Makoa's first name is also Rockne).
"I just told him to prepare well," the father said. "Preparation is the key. Mentally and physically. Do everything full blast and be recognized as a hard worker. And be smart."
Makoa Freitas' teammate at Arizona, quarterback Jason Johnson, said it's no surprise to him that Freitas contributed early on in the NFL. He did the same thing in college.
"Makoa is a great guy. He came in as a true freshman (at Arizona) and made a strong first impression and started," Johnson said. "He always does the right thing; I knew he always had my back. He was a bubble guy, but there was something about him and I knew he'd make it."
Freitas said today's game is a huge challenge for the Colts.
"We have to come out and play our game. We can't give any turnovers; we have to have a plus on the turnover margin," said Freitas, who plays on the kickoff-return and field-goal teams. "We have to be especially careful on special teams. That's a big key. They win some games on special teams."
His father went to last week's wild-card game, in which the Colts dominated against the Denver Broncos 41-10. The Chiefs will be much tougher, he said.
"I wish I could be at the game, but I ran out of Mileage Plus," Rockne Freitas said. "I think tomorrow's the Super Bowl for them. It's a real challenge."
Whether the season ends today, in the AFC championship game or at the Super Bowl -- and whether he plays on the offensive line again this year or not -- Rockne Makoa Freitas, a sixth-round draft choice, will consider his rookie season a success.
"I was thrilled about the opportunity. For me, it was kind of a treat," he said. "I figured I'd be on the practice squad most the year, maybe play in a couple games. But I got to start six games. And just being a part of winning a playoff game was great, too."
