Utah Utes All-Time Greatest Football Players: No. 31 Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala

Rude Awakening

Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala's collegiate career began with a rude awakening. After graduating from powerhouse Kahuku High School in Hawaii, he reported to Salt Lake City and immediately endured one of the toughest practices of his life.

Fuamatu-Ma'afala said his body felt like it was "falling apart" after that first practice. "I remember thinking, ‘These guys are bigger and a lot faster than I thought,’" he said.

Island Boy Blossoms into a Utes Legend

Despite the initial culture shock, Fuamatu-Ma'afala quickly found his footing in both the program and the state of Utah. He proved himself as a force on the field, a leader in the locker room, and an active participant in the community.

Fuamatu-Ma'afala finished his college career with 307 tackles, including 17 sacks and 33 tackles for loss. He led the Utes in tackles in each of his final three seasons.

Fuamatu-Ma'afala's on-field accomplishments earned him First Team All-MWC honors twice, as well as Honorable Mention All-American honors following his senior season.

NFL Journeyman

After his time in Salt Lake City, Fuamatu-Ma'afala spent six seasons in the NFL, bouncing between the Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, and Cleveland Browns.

He never quite found a consistent role at the professional level, but he was a reliable contributor on special teams and as a reserve linebacker.

Giving Back to the Utes

Following his playing career, Fuamatu-Ma'afala returned to the University of Utah as a student assistant coach and was later promoted to a full-time assistant, where he worked from 2013-2018.

He left the football program to become the university's director of player engagement, where he advises student-athletes on academics, personal growth, and life skills.

Legacy

Fuamatu-Ma'afala is remembered as one of the most beloved Utes of all time. He is a member of the Utah Athletics Hall of Fame, and his No. 31 jersey was retired by the university in 2019.

He was known for his infectious personality, leadership, and commitment to excellence both on and off the field. Fuamatu-Ma'afala's legacy continues to inspire Utah student-athletes to this day.