City job or NFL? City wins

EAGLE MOUNTAIN — When it comes to career moves, making a choice between a desk job and a National Football League contract with the New York Jets can be tough.

But Ifo Pili, a former Brigham Young University football player and NFL lineman, has decided to hang up his jerseys and take a full-time job as Eagle Mountain's new city management analyst.

Pili's decision came shortly after he received a phone call a few weeks ago from representatives of the New York Jets. The Jets wanted him to sign up for football camp.

"The way the NFL works, they call you at noon and they tell you they have a ticket waiting for you at 5 p.m.," Pili said. "They need you right then, and you just pack up and go. I had to make a quick decision."

Pili said he chose to continue his internship with Eagle Mountain, which he started this summer. Pili said he also wanted to finish earning his master's of public administration degree at BYU.

After Pili rejected the Jets, Eagle Mountain Mayor Brian Olsen offered Pili a long-term job with the city.

"I didn't know the Jets were looking at him, but knowing our current situation, I was aware there was a demand (for Pili)," Olsen said. "Our city is growing so fast that I needed him, but I didn't realize he was making a choice between us and them."

Pili said he chose to work at Eagle Mountain because he will have more work responsibilities than at a larger city. He will be in charge of completing feasibility studies as well as planning budget outlines for the next fiscal year.

"Some people would say the NFL opportunity only comes once in a lifetime," Pili said. "I feel the same way about this opportunity I have outside of the game right now."

Pili received his undergraduate degree at BYU, where he played 51 straight games for the football team before graduating in 2002. He then signed a contract with the Houston Texans.

Pili was injured during his first game with the Texans, so he bought a home in Eagle Mountain to live in while he rehabilitated from injury. During that time, Pili was accepted to BYU's MPA program.

Pili then signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and went with the team all the way to the Super Bowl. When the Eagles lost, Pili signed a contract with the New England Patriots until he was released earlier this year.