Domata Peko

About 28 National Football League players either from Samoa or of Samoan heritage were scrambling to find out about loved ones Wednesday after a tsunami that has killed at least 113 people. Huge waves rocked the South Pacific after an undersea earthquake that caused a tidal wave which destroyed Samoan villages and wiped out tourist resorts. Three players on the Cincinnati Bengals - defensive linemen Jonathan Fanene and Domata Peko and linebacker Rey Maualuga - were among those trying to learn information about the devastation and helping support each other. "I think they?re comfortable. Their families are good," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "Last ... Read Full Story

NFL players of Samoan background are getting updates directly from the U.S. government on recovery efforts in the tsunami-stricken Samoas. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, along with Red Cross officials, gave a briefing Friday to current and former players, including Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Domata (DOE'-muh-tah) Peko (PECK'-oh), an American Samoa native. The death toll from Tuesday's earthquake and tsunami is 169 — including 31 from the U.S. territory of American Samoa. Peko told reporters on a conference call after the briefing, players with connections to the island territory are very concerned. According to the NFL, Peko is one of five current players born ... Read Full Story

On Sunday, the Bengals came back down to Earth. After a miraculous four-week run that included an improbable sweep through the division and culminated in an emotionally-taxing week of shock, grief, and jubilation; the luck simply ran out. The Houston Texans, a sub-.500 team, entered Paul Brown Stadium and easily handled the “cardiac cats.” While the Bengals did mount multiple late game comeback attempts, they kept rolling snake-eyes with penalties, turnovers, and poor execution. No rabbit’s foot or four leaf clovers this week. Making matters worse, their luck ran out on the injury front as well. Remarkably healthy through the first five games, they ... Read Full Story

On Sunday, the Bengals came back down to Earth. After a miraculous four-week run that included an improbable sweep through the division and culminated in an emotionally-taxing week of shock, grief, and jubilation; the luck simply ran out. The Houston Texans, a sub-.500 team, entered Paul Brown Stadium and easily handled the “cardiac cats.” While the Bengals did mount multiple late game comeback attempts, they kept rolling snake-eyes with penalties, turnovers, and poor execution. No rabbit’s foot or four leaf clovers this week. Making matters worse, their luck ran out on the injury front as well. Remarkably healthy through the first five games, they ... Read Full Story

DT Domata Peko is not a household name in the NFL yet, but he is an up and coming player in the league, and today the Bengals rewarded him with a new deal - expected to be announced at 5 years, $29.3 million. Mike Curnette of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported the signing earlier in the day as the Bengals held their minicamp in Cincy. Peko is entering his third season, and last year played well for a team that struggled, starting 16 games, making 52 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He was the teams fourth round draft pick in the 2006 draft out of Michigan ... Read Full Story