The centuries-old Naval Academy credo states, “Don’t give up the ship.” Unless it’s a scholarship, that is.
In a video posted on the Utah football Twitter page, Utah Coach Kyle Whittingham is shown addressing his team when he tells them he has to show them video from a “good friend” who happens to be Navy’s head coach.
.@AliiNiumatalolo YOU’RE ON SCHOLARSHIP!
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 16, 2019
A very special thank you to Ali’i’s father, @NAVYCoachKen, & the entire @NavyFB Team for making this moment possible. #NavyFB #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/9ipCdfrv2O
“What’s up, Utah?” Niumatalolo begins as his players stand behind him at their practice field nestled along the Severn River. “This is Coach Niumatalolo from the United States Naval Academy. We know that you boys are there grinding. But so are we here at the United States Naval Academy. We’re grinding. Want to wish you guys the best of luck this season. Go Navy! Beat everybody! Go Utah! Beat everybody!”
Niumatalolo and the rest of the Midshipmen then chant “Utes” as they make a “U” by placing their thumbs together with their index fingers pointing upward.
“Oh, wait a minute. I just forgot one other thing I was going to say,” Niumatalolo says. “Ali’i, my son, congratulations on getting your scholarship!”
The Utah football team immediately erupts in celebration and surrounds Ali’i at his seat.
The viral moment came the same day the Maryland football team surprised one of its walk-ons, linebacker Bruce Miller, with a scholarship of his own at the Baltimore Ravens preseason game Thursday night.
Ali’i, who appeared in 21 games the last two seasons, was a two-year team captain at Broadneck High School in Annapolis. He helped lead the Bruins to a Maryland 4A East title in 2015 before committing to Boise State. He eventually decommitted from the Broncos and chose to play close to his brother, Va’a, who redshirted as a walk-on for Brigham Young in 2011 before serving on a Mormon mission. Va’a continued to play for the Cougars from 2014 to 2017 and is now a graduate assistant working as an offensive intern at the University of Hawaii, his father’s alma mater.
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