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Bob Apisa

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Bob Apisa
No. 45
Position:Fullback
Personal information
Born: (1945-06-04) June 4, 1945 (age 79)
Fagatogo, American Samoa
Career information
High school:Farrington (HI)
College:Michigan State
NFL draft:1968 / round: 9 / pick: 245
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards

Robert Apisa (born June 4, 1945) is an American actor and former football fullback. He played college football at Michigan State University.

Early years

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Apisa, one of eleven children, was born in American Samoa. His parents moved the family to Oahu, Hawaii when he was seven. He didn't start playing football until entering the ninth grade at Farrington High School. He also practiced baseball and track.[1]

Career

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College career

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He accepted a football scholarship from Michigan State University. He was named a starter at fullback as a sophomore, registering 126 carries for 715 yards (second on the team and third in the conference), a 5.7-yard average and 10 touchdowns. At the end of the season, he was limited with injuries, but still was able to become the first player of Samoan ancestry to be named All-American. He required off-season knee surgery.

On November 19, 1966, he was a part of the contest played against the University of Notre Dame called "The Game of the Century", which ended in a 10–10 tie.[2] It was also the first ever live television sports broadcast in Hawaii. He had 140 rushing yards and one touchdown against the University of Michigan. He suffered a knee injury in the seventh game against Northwestern University and missed most of the remaining contests. He posted 86 carries for 445 yards (5.2-yard avg.) and 9 touchdowns.

As a senior, he struggled to recover from off-season knee surgery. He tallied only 50 carries for 183 yards during the season. Besides being a notable blocker, he finished his college career as the school's all-time leading rushing fullback with 1,343 yards.[3] He was a part of 2 national championship teams (1965 and 1966).

In 2017, he was inducted into the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame. In 2018, he was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.[4]

Professional career

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Apisa was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the ninth round (245th overall) of the 1968 NFL/AFL draft.[5] He was waived on July 30.[6]

Acting

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After retiring from professional football, Apisa spent more than 33 years working as a character actor and stunt coordinator in television series and films.

Personal life

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Apisa's grandson, Jacob Isaia, is an offensive lineman for Michigan State University and California State University, Fresno.[citation needed]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1986 Free Ride Thug #1
1987 Three O'Clock High Cop #1
1987 Code Name Zebra Alonso
1987 Grotesque Patrick
1990 Heart Condition Teller
1990 The Forbidden Dance Security Guard #2
1991 The Perfect Weapon Man with Red Bandana Uncredited
1991 The Last Boy Scout Baynard's Bodyguard
1992 Kill Fee Bodyguard #1
1993 Nowhere to Run Prisoner
1993 Point of No Return The V.I.P.
1993 The Sandlot Home Plate Umpire
1993 Hard Target Mr. Lopacki
1993 The Painted Desert Bones
1994 The Specialist Ned's Thug in Hotel Room Uncredited
1994 A Low Down Dirty Shame Bouncer at Bar
1995 Under Siege 2: Dark Territory Dane's Tech
1996 Executive Decision Jean-Paul Demou
1996 Courage Under Fire Iraqi Tank Commander
1996 Fled Jose Marti
1996 The Glimmer Man Smith's Bodyguard Uncredited
1996 Santa with Muscles Franco
1997 Gang Related Bailiff
1998 The Replacement Killers Thug
1998 Savior Colonel Uncredited

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1973–1977 Hawaii Five-O Portuguese / Regan / George 3 episodes
1980 Waikiki Kahea Television film
1981–1987 Magnum, P.I. Various roles 6 episodes
1985 J.O.E. and the Colonel Schaefer's Henchman Television film
1985 Riptide Reed Episode: "Robin and Marian"
1985–1986 Airwolf Various roles 5 episodes
1986 The Fall Guy Cop Episode: "Tag Team"
1986–1988 Hunter Various roles 3 episodes
1988 Simon & Simon Garcia Episode: "Forever Hold Your Piece"
1988 L.A. Law Cop #2 Episode: "Hand Roll Express"
1988 Quiet Victory: The Charlie Wedemeyer Story Kahuna Television film
1989 Snoops Santos Episode: "Photo Opportunity"
1989, 1990 Jake and the Fatman Konahe / Raymond Say 2 episodes
1990 Twin Peaks Bodyguard on Stairs Episode: "The Orchid's Curse"
1991 The Flash Joey C.'s Bodyguard Episode: "Alpha"
1992, 1993 Renegade Bouncer / Corelli 2 episodes
1993 Marked for Murder Girado Television film
1993 Raven Samoan Sam Episode: "Heat"
1993 Diagnosis: Murder Foreman Episode: "Inheritance of Death"
1994 Dead at 21 Secret Service #2 Episode: "Use Your Illusion"
1999 Baywatch Erik Episode: "Water Dance"

References

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  1. ^ "LONG STORY SHORT WITH LESLIE WILCOX Bob Apisa". November 4, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  2. ^ "MSU, Notre Dame Celebrate 40th Anniversary of 1966 Game of the Century". September 18, 2006. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  3. ^ "Michigan State Hall of Fame bio". Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  4. ^ "Former Michigan State All-American Bob Apisa named to Polynesian Football Hall of Fame". October 11, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  5. ^ "1968 NFL Draft". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  6. ^ "Packers Get Kicker Traynham from Falcons". July 31, 1968. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
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