The Kansas City Chiefs recently agreed to terms with XFL standout QB Jordan Ta’amu on a one-year deal. After proving himself through five games with the St. Louis BattleHawks, Ta’amu is getting a shot in the NFL with the Super Bowl champs. Here’s a look at four things the Chiefs Kingdom should know about their newest player:
Ta’amu is from Pearl City, Hawaii but is of Samoan descent
Ta’amu grew up in Pearl City, which is on the Island of Oahu. One thing that impacted Ta’amu during his upbringing was the friendliness and family feel of island-life. It influenced his decision when he chose to transfer to Ole Miss. The Chiefs Kingdom will likely have that same feel for him once he arrives in Kansas City.
In his early days at Oxford, Mississippi he earned the nickname the “Flyin’ Hawaiian.” Later he opted for a nickname previously held by former Bengals and Bucs QB Jack Thompson because Ta’amu is actually of Samoan descent.
So if you’re looking for a nickname for Ta’amu, stick with the “Throwin Samoan.”
Ta’amu is friends with another Samoan quarterback from Hawaii who is currently preparing for the 2020 NFL draft — Alabama’s Tua Tagavailoa. The two players grew up training together in Hawaii and remain good friends to this day.
He believes he has the talent to play in the NFL
Ta’amu is confident in his abilities, he just never really had the opportunity to showcase them at the professional level. That is until he reached the XFL, of course. Ta’amu spoke with USA Today Wire Network reporter Crissy Froyd in February about potentially making it to the NFL following his stint in the XFL.
“I’ve felt since day one that I was in college that I had NFL talent,” Ta’amu told Froyd. “I just needed an opportunity to go out there and show them. I got to be around the Texans for a whole preseason, but the only reason I was there was to fill in an injury spot. Then, once that guy got healthy, they didn’t need me anymore. So, the XFL offered me an opportunity to continue playing and show that I can still play in a professional league. Get out there, get more reps and I feel like that’s what I’m doing now is really getting more experience underneath my belt. I know I’m young and still learning, but I feel like that’s the plus-side too.”
It appears that Ta’amu learned and showed enough in the XFL to pique the interest of Brett Veach, who has proven to be a championship-caliber talent evaluator.
He’s excited to join the reigning Super Bowl champions and learn from Patrick Mahomes
Recently, Ta’amu spoke to the Fox TV affiliate in Hawaii to relay his excitement about his upcoming NFL opportunity in Kansas City.
“Honestly, it’s just a huge blessing for me. A huge blessing for my family. We’ve been praying about this,” Ta’amu told KHON-TV’s Rob DeMello. “Shoutout to the XFL, shoutout to them for giving me another opportunity to keep playing the sport I love and to showcase my talents again with a bunch of professional guys. It was good competition and getting the phone call saying I’m gonna sign with the Chiefs was pretty exciting. I couldn’t be happier.”
Happy days are ahead for the 22-year-old QB because now he’ll get a chance to learn from the best QB in the NFL. It’s something that he’s most looking forward to in his upcoming opportunity.
“I’m excited to play with the best team in the world, Super Bowl champs, with Patrick Mahomes,” Ta’amu said. “Him being a guy that I’ve looked up to and getting ready to see him in live-action and learn from — that is gonna be a huge honor for me. Kind of just sitting back there and watching what he does and just picking at his brain a little bit and see what I can learn from that. It’s a super honor and I’m super blessed to be a part of that.”
Mahomes might overshadow this a little, but Ta’amu will also get a chance to work with Andy Reid, who is routinely referred to as a quarterback whisperer.
He has a backup plan if football doesn’t work out
Ta’amu doesn’t hold any misconceptions. He knows that football careers don’t last and he’s taken a longer road than most to get to the league. He has a plan for life after football whether he gets an opportunity with the Chiefs, another team, or fizzles out altogether.
At Ole Miss, Ta’amu chose a unique discipline to study. He majored in criminal justice and he has plans to use his degree in his post-football career.
After the NFL Ta’amu wants to work as a police officer and perhaps even work his way up to becoming an FBI agent. During his studies in Oxford, he even did some ride alongs with the local police department in order to get a taste for his future.
