Still, every day of his BYU football career his enthusiasm over the most boring practices are legend. So are his sisters, all seven of them, who can be heard screaming his direction, in rock star fashion, at scrimmages and games.

"He's just a great example to all of us of how to deal with everything," said Melba. "He's an excellent father and husband because he's had the seven of us sisters training him his while life."

A concert pianist who has toured Tonga, China, Fiji and Canada, Latu is often called upon to play for team activities or firesides. He has a studio where he currently teaches piano to 10 pupils, He also speaks Spanish and French.

"He loves football, just being out there, and he loves teaching piano and hasn't given it up yet," said Melba.

"But what he really loves is life and he's anxious, willing and faithful in living it out and getting the most out of it every single day.

"Wayne stays upbeat and positive, even when it's scary, like when his wife left in the helicopter and he couldn't go with her. He already has another beautiful daughter (Malia) and an incredible wife, Mary, and he has things in perspective."

But even for Wayne, this one is huge. Little Kina's battle is a tough one. Right now, it's a critical fight that will test every bit of Latu's sky-is-blue and everything-is-OK attitude.

As football fades into the background, odds are, Latu is the man to handle this kind of fire.

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E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com