Sealver Siliga: Mormon Athlete

Tupalmoefitpo “Sealver” Siliga is an American professional football player, who is currently playing as nose tackle for the New England Patriots.

Siliga was born on April 26, 1990, raised in the Salt Lake area, played football at Copper Hills High School, and then played for three years for the University of Utah. He was not drafted in the 2011 National Football League draft, but was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on July 28, 2011. The 49ers released his on September 3, 2011, then signed on October 18 to the Denver Broncos practice squad. He made the team’s active roster prior to the 2012 opening game. On August 20, 2013, Siligia was traded to the Seattle Seahawks, but was released one month later. The Seahawks re-signed him to their practice squad on September 24, 2013. On October 23, Siligia was signed to the New England Patriots practice squad, made it onto the active roster, and played in five games. With an injury in 2014, he was placed on injured reserve with the designation to return. He was added to the active roster on December 6 and helped the Patriots win Super Bowl XLIX in February 2015.

He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.