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{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}}
{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Vita Vea
| name = Vita Vea
| image = Vita Vea 2021 (cropped).jpg
| image = Vita Vea 2021 (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| image_size =
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Vea with the Buccaneers in 2021
| caption = Vea with the [[Tampa Bay Pirates ]] in 2021
| current_team = Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| current_team = Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| number = 50
| number = 50
| position = [[Nose tackle]]
⚫
| birth_date = {{birth date and age |1995|2|5}}
| position = [[Nose tackle]]
⚫
| birth_place = [[Stanford, California]], U.S.
⚫
| birth_date = {{birth date and age |1995|2|5}}
| death_date =
⚫
| birth_place = [[Stanford, California]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| height_in = 4
| weight_lb = 347
| high_school = [[Milpitas High School|Milpitas]] ([[Milpitas, California]])
| weight_lb = 347
| high_school = [[Milpitas High School|Milpitas]] ([[Milpitas, California]])
| college = [[Washington Huskies football|Washington]] (2014–2017)
| draftyear = 2018
| college = [[Washington Huskies football|Washington]] (2014–2017)
| draftyear = 2018
| draftround = 1
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 12
| draftpick = 12
| pastteams =
⚫
| pastteams =
* [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] ({{NFL Year|2018}}–present)
* [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] ({{NFL Year|2018}}–present)
| status = Active
| status = Active
| highlights =
| highlights =
* [[Super Bowl]] champion ([[Super Bowl LV|LV]])
* [[List of Super Bowl champions|Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl LV|LV]])
* [[Pro Bowl]] ([[2022 Pro Bowl|2021]])
* [[Pro Bowl]] ([[2022 Pro Bowl|2021]])
⚫
* [[Pac-12 Conference football individual awards|Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year]] (2017)<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2017 |title=Pac-12 Football Awards and All-Conference Team Announced |url=https://pac-12.com/news/2017/12/5/pac-12-football-awards-and-all-conference-team-announced.aspx |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=Pac-12}}</ref>
⚫
* Second-team [[List of All-Pac-12 Conference football teams|All-Pac-12]] ([[2016 All-Pac-12 Conference football team|2016]])
⚫
* First-team [[List of All-Pac-12 Conference football teams|All-Pac-12]] ([[2017 All-Pac-12 Conference football team|2017]])
⚫
* [[Pac-12 Conference football individual awards|Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year]] (2017)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pac-12 Football Awards and All-Conference Team Announced |url=http://pac-12.com/article/2017/12/05/pac-12-football-awards-and-all-conference-team-announced |website=Pac-12}}</ref>
* [[Morris Trophy]] (2017)
* [[Morris Trophy]] (2017)
⚫
* First-team [[List of All-Pac-12 Conference football teams|All-Pac-12]] ([[2017 All-Pac-12 Conference football team|2017]])
| statleague = NFL
⚫
* Second-team All-Pac-12 ([[2016 All-Pac-12 Conference football team|2016]])
⚫
| statweek = 13
| statseason = 2022
| statleague = NFL
⚫
| statweek = 3
⚫
| statlabel1 = [[Tackle (football move)|Tackles]]
| statvalue1 = 137
| statseason = 2024
⚫
| statlabel1 = [[Tackle (football move)|Total tackles]]
| statlabel2 = [[Quarterback sack|Sacks]]
| statvalue2 = 18.0
| statvalue1 = 183
| statlabel3 = [[Fumble|Forced fumbles]]
| statlabel2 = [[Quarterback sack|Sacks]]
| statvalue3 = 1
| statvalue2 = 23.5
| statlabel4 = [[Fumble|Fumble recoveries]]
| statlabel3 = [[Fumble|Forced fumbles]]
| statvalue4 = 1
| statvalue3 = 3
| statlabel5 = [[Pass deflected|Pass deflections]]
| statlabel4 = [[Fumble|Fumble recoveries]]
| statvalue5 = 6
| statvalue4 = 2
| statlabel5 = [[Pass deflected|Pass deflections]]
⚫
| statlabel6 = [[Interception]]s
| statvalue6 =
| statvalue5 = 6
⚫
| statlabel6 = [[Interception]]s
⚫
| statlabel7 = [[Touchdowns|Defensive touchdowns]]
| statvalue7 =
| statvalue6 =
⚫
| statlabel7 = [[Touchdowns|Defensive touchdowns]]
| nflnew = Vita-Vea
| pfr = V/VeaxVi00
| statvalue7 =
⚫
| pfr = V/VeaxVi00
}}
}}


'''Tevita Tuliʻakiʻono Tuipulotu Mosese Vaʻhae Fehoko Faletau Vea'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jude, Adam |date=April 24, 2018 |title=Vita Vea is poised to become Huskies' second consecutive first-round NFL draft pick |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/uws-vita-vea-is-poised-to-become-the-huskies-second-consecutive-first-round-draft-pick/ |access-date=April 26, 2018 |website=[[The Seattle Times|Seattle Times]]}}</ref> (born February 5, 1995), otherwise known as '''Vita Vea''', is an [[American football]] [[nose tackle]] for the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He played [[college football]] at [[Washington Huskies football|Washington]] and was drafted by the Buccaneers in the first round of the [[2018 NFL Draft]].
'''Tevita Tuli{{fakau'a}}aki{{fakau'a}}ono Tuipulotu Mosese Va{{fakau'a}}hae Fehoko Faletau Vea'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jude, Adam |date=April 24, 2018 |title=Vita Vea is poised to become Huskies' second consecutive first-round NFL draft pick |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/uws-vita-vea-is-poised-to-become-the-huskies-second-consecutive-first-round-draft-pick/ |access-date=April 26, 2018 |website=[[The Seattle Times|Seattle Times]]}}</ref> (born February 5, 1995), otherwise known as '''Vita Vea''', is an American professional [[American football|football]] [[nose tackle]] for the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He played [[college football]] for the [[Washington Huskies football|Washington Huskies]] and was selected by the Buccaneers in the first round of the [[2018 NFL draft]]. Vea won [[Super Bowl LV]] with the team over the [[Kansas City Chiefs]], and was selected to the Pro Bowl the following year.


==College career==
==College career==
As a junior in 2017, Vea was the [[Pac-12 Conference football individual awards|Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year]] and won the [[Morris Trophy]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jude |first=Adam |date=December 5, 2017 |title=UW's Vita Vea named Morris Trophy winner as Pac-12's top defensive lineman |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/uws-vita-vea-named-morris-trophy-winner-as-pac-12s-top-defensive-lineman/ |access-date=April 24, 2018 |website=Seattle Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jude |first=Adam |date=December 5, 2017 |title=UW's Vita Vea named Pac-12's defensive player of the year |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/uws-vita-vea-named-pac-12s-defensive-player-of-the-year/ |access-date=April 24, 2018 |website=Seattle Times}}</ref> On January 2, 2018, he declared his intention to enter the [[2018 NFL Draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2018 |title=Washington star DL Vita Vea declares for NFL draft |url=http://q13fox.com/2018/01/02/washington-star-dl-vita-vea-declares-for-nfl-draft/ |access-date=April 24, 2018 |website=Q13 FOX |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
As a junior in 2017, Vea was the [[Pac-12 Conference football individual awards|Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year]] and won the [[Morris Trophy]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jude |first=Adam |date=December 5, 2017 |title=UW's Vita Vea named Morris Trophy winner as Pac-12's top defensive lineman |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/uws-vita-vea-named-morris-trophy-winner-as-pac-12s-top-defensive-lineman/ |access-date=April 24, 2018 |website=Seattle Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jude |first=Adam |date=December 5, 2017 |title=UW's Vita Vea named Pac-12's defensive player of the year |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/uws-vita-vea-named-pac-12s-defensive-player-of-the-year/ |access-date=April 24, 2018 |website=Seattle Times}}</ref> On January 2, 2018, he declared his intention to enter the [[2018 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2018 |title=Washington star DL Vita Vea declares for NFL draft |url=http://q13fox.com/2018/01/02/washington-star-dl-vita-vea-declares-for-nfl-draft/ |access-date=April 24, 2018 |website=Q13 FOX |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+College Statistics
|+College Statistics
Line 84: Line 83:
![[2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2015]]
![[2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2015]]
![[2015 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]]
![[2015 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]]
|11
|13
|17
|17
|13
|13
Line 120: Line 119:
![[2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2017]]
![[2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2017]]
![[2017 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]]
![[2017 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]]
|12
|13
|43
|43
|30
|30
Line 155: Line 154:


==Professional career==
==Professional career==
===Pre-draft===
Vea participated in the 2018 NFL Combine, but did not complete all drills due to a hamstring injury.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodbread |first=Chase |date=March 4, 2018 |title=Vita Vea ends NFL Combine workout with hamstring injury |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000919212/article/vita-vea-ends-nfl-combine-workout-with-hamstring-injury |access-date=April 24, 2018 |website=[[National Football League]]}}</ref>
Vea participated in the 2018 [[NFL Combine]], but did not complete all drills due to a hamstring injury.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodbread |first=Chase |date=March 4, 2018 |title=Vita Vea ends NFL Combine workout with hamstring injury |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000919212/article/vita-vea-ends-nfl-combine-workout-with-hamstring-injury |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304232315/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000919212/article/vita-vea-ends-nfl-combine-workout-with-hamstring-injury |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2018 |access-date=April 24, 2018 |website=[[National Football League]]}}</ref>
{{NFL predraft
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height ft = 6
| height in = 4
| height in = 4
| weight = 347
| weight = 347
| arm span = 32⅝
| arm span = 32+5/8
| hand span = 10
| hand span = 10
| dash = 5.10
| dash = 5.10
Line 172: Line 172:
| bench = 41
| bench = 41
| wonderlic =
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from NFL Combine<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Draft & Combine Profile – Vita Vea |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/vita-vea?id=32462018-0002-5598-10ff-6ad4a5ede8ef |work=National Football League}}</ref>
| note = All values from [[NFL Combine]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Draft & Combine Profile – Vita Vea |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/vita-vea?id=32462018-0002-5598-10ff-6ad4a5ede8ef |work=National Football League}}</ref>
}}
}}
⚫
Vea was drafted by the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] in the first round with the 12th overall pick in the [[2018 NFL Draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=April 26, 2018 |title=Revitalized Line: Bucs Nab Vita Vea at #12 |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Revitalized-Line-Bucs-Nab-Vita-Vea-at-12/e726ca06-9d3e-43bd-b477-7c61e1073b80 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427071540/https://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Revitalized-Line-Bucs-Nab-Vita-Vea-at-12/e726ca06-9d3e-43bd-b477-7c61e1073b80 |archive-date=April 27, 2018 |website=[[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]}}</ref>


===2018 season===
===2018 season===
⚫
Vea was selected by the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] in the first round with the 12th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=April 26, 2018 |title=Revitalized Line: Bucs Nab Vita Vea at #12 |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Revitalized-Line-Bucs-Nab-Vita-Vea-at-12/e726ca06-9d3e-43bd-b477-7c61e1073b80 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427071540/https://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Revitalized-Line-Bucs-Nab-Vita-Vea-at-12/e726ca06-9d3e-43bd-b477-7c61e1073b80 |archive-date=April 27, 2018 |website=[[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]}}</ref>
⚫
Vea strained his calf during training camp, causing him to miss the entire preseason as well as the first three games of the regular season. Vea recorded his first career sack in Week 10, during a 16–3 loss to the [[2018 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Washington Redskins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – November 11th, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201811110tam.htm |access-date=July 1, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

⚫
Vea strained his calf during [[training camp (NFL)|training camp]], causing him to miss the entire preseason as well as the first three games of the regular season. Vea recorded his first career sack in Week 10, during a 16–3 loss to the [[Washington Redskins]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Washington Redskins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – November 11th, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201811110tam.htm |access-date=July 1, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>


He finished his rookie year with 28 tackles and three sacks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vita Vea 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/VeaxVi00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=July 1, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
He finished his rookie year with 28 tackles and three sacks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vita Vea 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/VeaxVi00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=July 1, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
Line 183: Line 184:
===2019 season===
===2019 season===
[[File:Vita Vea.png|thumb|Vea in a game against the [[Tennessee Titans]] ]]
[[File:Vita Vea.png|thumb|Vea in a game against the [[Tennessee Titans]] ]]
In Week 12, during a 35–22 win against the [[2019 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]], Vea recorded a sack, a career-best two pass deflections, and caught a one-yard touchdown pass from quarterback [[Jameis Winston]]. As a result, Vea became the first defensive player since [[J. J. Watt]] in 2014 to record a sack and catch a touchdown in the same game, the ninth player in NFL history to accomplish both in the same game, and the heaviest player in NFL history to catch a touchdown at 347 pounds.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 24, 2019 |title=Big guy, big catch: Vea TD leads Bucs past Falcons 35–22 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127870 |access-date=November 24, 2019 |website=[[ESPN]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Overall, he started all 16 games and recorded 35 total tackles, 12 quarterback hits, and three passes defensed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vita Vea 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/VeaxVi00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=July 1, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
In Week 12, during a 35–22 win against the [[Atlanta Falcons]], Vea recorded a sack, a career-best two pass deflections, and caught a one-yard touchdown pass from quarterback [[Jameis Winston]]. As a result, Vea became the first defensive player since [[J. J. Watt]] in 2014 to record a sack and catch a touchdown in the same game, the ninth player in NFL history to accomplish both in the same game, and the heaviest player in NFL history to catch a touchdown at 347 pounds.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 24, 2019 |title=Big guy, big catch: Vea TD leads Bucs past Falcons 35–22 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127870 |access-date=November 24, 2019 |website=[[ESPN]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Overall, he started all 16 games and recorded 35 total tackles, 12 quarterback hits, and three passes defensed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vita Vea 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/VeaxVi00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=July 1, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>


===2020 season===
===2020 season===
During ''Thursday Night Football'' against the [[2020 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] in Week 5, Vea suffered fractures to his right leg and ankle after making a tackle on running back [[David Montgomery (American football)|David Montgomery]]. Prior to the injury, Vea recorded one sack on [[Nick Foles]] during the 20–19 loss. Vea was placed on [[injured reserve]] on October 13, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears – October 8th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202010080chi.htm |access-date=October 10, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=October 13, 2020 |title=Vita Vea, Jack Cichy to I.R. Among Multiple Bucs Moves |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/vita-vea-jack-cichy-injured-reserve-chapelle-russell-roster-moves |website=Tampa Bay Buccaneers}}</ref> Vea was placed on the reserve/[[COVID-19]] list by the team on November 28, 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=November 28, 2020 |title=Jack Cichy Activated from Injured Reserve |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/aq-shipley-ir-jack-cichy-activated-roster-move-2020 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=Tampa Bay Buccaneers}}</ref> and moved back to injured reserve on December 5.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2020 |title=Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Clears COVID-19 protocol |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/buccaneers-vita-vea-clears-covid-19-protocol/ |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=[[CBS Sports]]}}</ref> Vea was activated from injured reserve on January 22, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=January 22, 2021 |title=Vita Vea Will Return for NFC Championship Game |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/vita-vea-activated-injured-reserve-nfc-championship-bucs-roster-moves |access-date=February 18, 2021 |website=Tampa Bay Buccaneers}}</ref> In [[Super Bowl LV]], Vea recorded one tackle during the Buccaneers' win over the [[2020 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=February 7, 2017 |title=What we learned from Buccaneers win over Chiefs in Super Bowl LV |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/what-we-learned-from-buccaneers-win-over-chiefs-in-super-bowl-lv |access-date=March 15, 2021 |website=National Football League |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LV – Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 7th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202102070tam.htm |access-date=March 15, 2021 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
During ''Thursday Night Football'' against the [[Chicago Bears]] in Week 5, Vea suffered fractures to his right leg and ankle after making a tackle on running back [[David Montgomery (American football)|David Montgomery]]. Prior to the injury, Vea recorded one sack on [[Nick Foles]] during the 20–19 loss. Vea was placed on [[injured reserve]] on October 13, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears – October 8th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202010080chi.htm |access-date=October 10, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=October 13, 2020 |title=Vita Vea, Jack Cichy to I.R. Among Multiple Bucs Moves |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/vita-vea-jack-cichy-injured-reserve-chapelle-russell-roster-moves |website=Tampa Bay Buccaneers}}</ref> Vea was placed on the reserve/[[COVID-19]] list by the team on November 28, 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=November 28, 2020 |title=Jack Cichy Activated from Injured Reserve |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/aq-shipley-ir-jack-cichy-activated-roster-move-2020 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=Tampa Bay Buccaneers |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107214914/https://www.buccaneers.com/news/aq-shipley-ir-jack-cichy-activated-roster-move-2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and moved back to injured reserve on December 5.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2020 |title=Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Clears COVID-19 protocol |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/buccaneers-vita-vea-clears-covid-19-protocol/ |access-date=January 5, 2021 |website=[[CBS Sports]]}}</ref> Vea was activated from injured reserve on January 22, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=January 22, 2021 |title=Vita Vea Will Return for NFC Championship Game |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/vita-vea-activated-injured-reserve-nfc-championship-bucs-roster-moves |access-date=February 18, 2021 |website=Tampa Bay Buccaneers}}</ref> In [[Super Bowl LV]], Vea recorded one tackle during the Buccaneers' win over the [[Kansas City Chiefs]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=February 7, 2017 |title=What we learned from Buccaneers win over Chiefs in Super Bowl LV |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/what-we-learned-from-buccaneers-win-over-chiefs-in-super-bowl-lv |access-date=March 15, 2021 |website=National Football League |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LV – Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 7th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202102070tam.htm |access-date=March 15, 2021 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>


===2021 season===
===2021 season===
[[File:Vita Vea WFT-Buccaneers NOV2021.jpg|thumb|right|225px|Vea being carted off the field in 2021.]]
[[File:Vita Vea WFT-Buccaneers NOV2021.jpg|thumb|right|225px|Vea being carted off the field in 2021.]]
On April 26, 2021, the Buccaneers picked up Vea's fifth-year option, guaranteeing Vea $7.6 million for the 2022 season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sullivan |first1=Tyler |title=Buccaneers pick up fifth-year option on Vita Vea, who's now under contract through 2022 |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/buccaneers-pick-up-fifth-year-option-on-vita-vea-whos-now-under-contract-through-2022/ |website=CBS Sports |access-date=January 24, 2022 |date=April 26, 2021}}</ref> In the Week 11 loss to the [[2021 Washington Football Team season |Washington Football Team]], Vea suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter and was carted off the field.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://bucswire.usatoday.com/2021/11/14/vita-vea-injury-update-nfl-news-tampa-bay-buccaneers-washington-football-team/|work=[[USA Today]]|title=Bucs DL Vita Vea carted off with knee injury vs. Washington |first=Luke |last=Easterling |date=November 14, 2021 |accessdate=November 22, 2021}}</ref>
On April 26, 2021, the Buccaneers picked up Vea's fifth-year option, guaranteeing Vea $7.6 million for the 2022 season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sullivan |first1=Tyler |title=Buccaneers pick up fifth-year option on Vita Vea, who's now under contract through 2022 |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/buccaneers-pick-up-fifth-year-option-on-vita-vea-whos-now-under-contract-through-2022/ |website=CBS Sports |access-date=January 24, 2022 |date=April 26, 2021}}</ref> In the Week 11 loss to the [[Washington Football Team]], Vea suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter and was carted off the field.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://bucswire.usatoday.com/2021/11/14/vita-vea-injury-update-nfl-news-tampa-bay-buccaneers-washington-football-team/|work=[[USA Today]]|title=Bucs DL Vita Vea carted off with knee injury vs. Washington |first=Luke |last=Easterling |date=November 14, 2021 |accessdate=November 22, 2021}}</ref>


On January 8, 2022, Vea signed a four-year, $73 million extension with the Buccaneers.<ref name="Shook">{{cite web |last1=Shook |first1=Nick |title=Buccaneers, NT Vita Vea agree to four-year extension worth over $73 million |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/buccaneers-nt-vita-vea-agree-to-four-year-73-million-extension |website=National Football League |access-date=January 8, 2022 |date=January 8, 2022}}</ref> As a result of the [[2021 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]] advancing to [[Super Bowl LVI]], Vea was selected to his first career Pro Bowl as an alternate for defensive tackle [[Aaron Donald]].
On January 8, 2022, Vea signed a four-year, $73 million extension with the Buccaneers.<ref name="Shook">{{cite web |last1=Shook |first1=Nick |title=Buccaneers, NT Vita Vea agree to four-year extension worth over $73 million |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/buccaneers-nt-vita-vea-agree-to-four-year-73-million-extension |website=National Football League |access-date=January 8, 2022 |date=January 8, 2022}}</ref> As a result of the [[Los Angeles Rams]] advancing to [[Super Bowl LVI]], Vea was selected to his first career Pro Bowl as an alternate for defensive tackle [[Aaron Donald]].


== NFL career statistics ==
== NFL career statistics ==
Line 220: Line 221:
|-
|-
! [[2019 NFL season|2019]] || [[2019 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|TB]]
! [[2019 NFL season|2019]] || [[2019 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|TB]]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || '''35''' || 19 || '''16''' || 2.5 || 0 || '''3''' || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || '''1''' || '''1''' || '''1.0''' || '''1''' || '''1'''
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 35 || 19 || '''16''' || 2.5 || 0 || '''3''' || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || '''1''' || '''1''' || '''1.0''' || '''1''' || '''1'''
|-
|-
! [[2020 NFL season|2020]] || style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;" |[[2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|TB]]
! [[2020 NFL season|2020]] || style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;" |[[2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|TB]]
Line 226: Line 227:
|-
|-
! [[2021 NFL season|2021]] || [[2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|TB]]
! [[2021 NFL season|2021]] || [[2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|TB]]
| '''16'''|| '''16'''|| 33 || '''22'''|| 11 || '''4.0'''|| 0 || '''3'''|| 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || '''1'''|| 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 33 || 22 || 11 || 4.0 || 0 || '''3''' || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || '''1''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2022 NFL season|2022]] || [[2022 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|TB]]
| 14 || 14 || 31 || 15 || '''16''' || '''6.5''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || '''1''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2023 NFL season|2023]] || [[2023 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|TB]]
| 15 || 15 || '''43''' || '''28''' || 15 || 5.5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || '''2''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
|-
! align=center colspan="2" |Career || 50 || 45 || 106 || 68 || 38 || 11.5 || 0 || 6 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 1.0 || 1 || 1
! align=center colspan="2" |Career || 79 || 74 || 180 || 111 || 69 || 23.5 || 0 || 6 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 1.0 || 1 || 1
|}
|}


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Vea is the son of Sione and Fipe Vea, [[Tongan Americans|from Tonga]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 30, 2018 |title=Buccaneers draft Vita Vea |url=https://matangitonga.to/2018/04/30/buccaneers-draft-vita-vea |access-date=May 2, 2018 |website=Matangi Tonga}}</ref>
Vea is the son of Sione and Fipe Vea, [[Tongan Americans|from Tonga]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 30, 2018 |title=Buccaneers draft Vita Vea |url=https://matangitonga.to/2018/04/30/buccaneers-draft-vita-vea |access-date=May 2, 2018 |website=Matangi Tonga}}</ref> Vea himself is of [[Tongan Americans|Tongan]] and [[Pacific Islander]] ancestry.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2018 |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Three things to know about Vita Vea |url=https://thepewterplank.com/2018/04/27/tampa-bay-buccaneers-three-things-know-vita-vea/ |access-date=January 16, 2024 |website=The Pewter Plank |language=en-US}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 238: Line 245:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons}}
*{{Twitter|VitaVea}}
*{{Twitter|VitaVea}}
*[https://www.buccaneers.com/team/players-roster/vita-vea/ Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio]
*[https://www.buccaneers.com/team/players-roster/vita-vea/ Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio]
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[[Category:American people of Tongan descent]]
[[Category:American people of Tongan descent]]
[[Category:People from Milpitas, California]]
[[Category:People from Milpitas, California]]
[[Category:Players of American football from California]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Santa Clara County, California]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Santa Clara County, California]]
[[Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players]]
[[Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players]]
[[Category:Washington Huskies football players]]
[[Category:Washington Huskies football players]]
[[Category:American sportspeople of Polynesian descent]]
[[Category:Pacific Islander American players of American football]]

Revision as of 14:07, 25 September 2024

Vita Vea
refer to caption
Vea with the Buccaneers in 2021
No. 50 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Position:Nose tackle
Personal information
Born: (1995-02-05) February 5, 1995 (age 29)
Stanford, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:347 lb (157 kg)
Career information
High school:Milpitas (Milpitas, California)
College:Washington (2014–2017)
NFL draft:2018 / round: 1 / pick: 12
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 3, 2024
Total tackles:183
Sacks:23.5
Forced fumbles:3
Fumble recoveries:2
Pass deflections:6
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Tevita Tuliʻakiʻono Tuipulotu Mosese Vaʻhae Fehoko Faletau Vea[2] (born February 5, 1995), otherwise known as Vita Vea, is an American professional football nose tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington Huskies and was selected by the Buccaneers in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. Vea won Super Bowl LV with the team over the Kansas City Chiefs, and was selected to the Pro Bowl the following year.

College career

As a junior in 2017, Vea was the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and won the Morris Trophy.[3][4] On January 2, 2018, he declared his intention to enter the 2018 NFL draft.[5]

College Statistics
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP Comb Solo Ast TFL Sack PD Int Yds Avg TD FF FR Yds TD
2015 Washington 13 17 13 4 3.0 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
2016 Washington 14 39 22 17 6.5 5.0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
2017 Washington 13 43 30 13 5.5 3.5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 37 99 65 34 15.0 9.5 5 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0

Professional career

Pre-draft

Vea participated in the 2018 NFL Combine, but did not complete all drills due to a hamstring injury.[6]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split Bench press
6 ft 4 in
(1.93 m) 		347 lb
(157 kg) 		32+5⁄8 in
(0.83 m) 		10 in
(0.25 m)		 5.10 s 1.76 s 2.95 s 41 reps
All values from NFL Combine[7]

2018 season

Vea was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round with the 12th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.[8]

Vea strained his calf during training camp, causing him to miss the entire preseason as well as the first three games of the regular season. Vea recorded his first career sack in Week 10, during a 16–3 loss to the Washington Redskins.[9]

He finished his rookie year with 28 tackles and three sacks.[10]

2019 season

Vea in a game against the Tennessee Titans

In Week 12, during a 35–22 win against the Atlanta Falcons, Vea recorded a sack, a career-best two pass deflections, and caught a one-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jameis Winston. As a result, Vea became the first defensive player since J. J. Watt in 2014 to record a sack and catch a touchdown in the same game, the ninth player in NFL history to accomplish both in the same game, and the heaviest player in NFL history to catch a touchdown at 347 pounds.[11] Overall, he started all 16 games and recorded 35 total tackles, 12 quarterback hits, and three passes defensed.[12]

2020 season

During Thursday Night Football against the Chicago Bears in Week 5, Vea suffered fractures to his right leg and ankle after making a tackle on running back David Montgomery. Prior to the injury, Vea recorded one sack on Nick Foles during the 20–19 loss. Vea was placed on injured reserve on October 13, 2020.[13][14] Vea was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 28, 2020,[15] and moved back to injured reserve on December 5.[16] Vea was activated from injured reserve on January 22, 2021.[17] In Super Bowl LV, Vea recorded one tackle during the Buccaneers' win over the Kansas City Chiefs.[18][19]

2021 season

Vea being carted off the field in 2021.

On April 26, 2021, the Buccaneers picked up Vea's fifth-year option, guaranteeing Vea $7.6 million for the 2022 season.[20] In the Week 11 loss to the Washington Football Team, Vea suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter and was carted off the field.[21]

On January 8, 2022, Vea signed a four-year, $73 million extension with the Buccaneers.[22] As a result of the Los Angeles Rams advancing to Super Bowl LVI, Vea was selected to his first career Pro Bowl as an alternate for defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles Receiving
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sack Sfty PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR Yds TD Rec Yds Avg Long TD
2018 TB 13 8 28 21 7 3.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 TB 16 16 35 19 16 2.5 0 3 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1.0 1 1
2020 TB 5 5 10 6 4 2.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021 TB 16 16 33 22 11 4.0 0 3 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 TB 14 14 31 15 16 6.5 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023 TB 15 15 43 28 15 5.5 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 79 74 180 111 69 23.5 0 6 0 0 0.0 0 0 3 2 0 0 1 1 1.0 1 1

Personal life

Vea is the son of Sione and Fipe Vea, from Tonga.[23] Vea himself is of Tongan and Pacific Islander ancestry.[24]

References

  1. ^ "Pac-12 Football Awards and All-Conference Team Announced". Pac-12. December 5, 2017. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  2. ^ Jude, Adam (April 24, 2018). "Vita Vea is poised to become Huskies' second consecutive first-round NFL draft pick". Seattle Times. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  3. ^ Jude, Adam (December 5, 2017). "UW's Vita Vea named Morris Trophy winner as Pac-12's top defensive lineman". Seattle Times. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  4. ^ Jude, Adam (December 5, 2017). "UW's Vita Vea named Pac-12's defensive player of the year". Seattle Times. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  5. ^ "Washington star DL Vita Vea declares for NFL draft". Q13 FOX. Associated Press. January 2, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  6. ^ Goodbread, Chase (March 4, 2018). "Vita Vea ends NFL Combine workout with hamstring injury". National Football League. Archived from the original on March 4, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  7. ^ "NFL Draft & Combine Profile – Vita Vea". National Football League.
  8. ^ Smith, Scott (April 26, 2018). "Revitalized Line: Bucs Nab Vita Vea at #12". Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Archived from the original on April 27, 2018.
  9. ^ "Washington Redskins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – November 11th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  10. ^ "Vita Vea 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  11. ^ "Big guy, big catch: Vea TD leads Bucs past Falcons 35–22". ESPN. Associated Press. November 24, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  12. ^ "Vita Vea 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  13. ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears – October 8th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  14. ^ Smith, Scott (October 13, 2020). "Vita Vea, Jack Cichy to I.R. Among Multiple Bucs Moves". Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
  15. ^ Smith, Scott (November 28, 2020). "Jack Cichy Activated from Injured Reserve". Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  16. ^ "Buccaneers' Vita Vea: Clears COVID-19 protocol". CBS Sports. December 5, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  17. ^ Smith, Scott (January 22, 2021). "Vita Vea Will Return for NFC Championship Game". Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  18. ^ Patra, Kevin (February 7, 2017). "What we learned from Buccaneers win over Chiefs in Super Bowl LV". National Football League. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  19. ^ "Super Bowl LV – Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 7th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  20. ^ Sullivan, Tyler (April 26, 2021). "Buccaneers pick up fifth-year option on Vita Vea, who's now under contract through 2022". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  21. ^ Easterling, Luke (November 14, 2021). "Bucs DL Vita Vea carted off with knee injury vs. Washington". USA Today. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  22. ^ Shook, Nick (January 8, 2022). "Buccaneers, NT Vita Vea agree to four-year extension worth over $73 million". National Football League. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  23. ^ "Buccaneers draft Vita Vea". Matangi Tonga. April 30, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  24. ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Three things to know about Vita Vea". The Pewter Plank. April 27, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
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