EAGAN, Minn. — Kennedy Polamalu and Taki Taimani never overlapped in Minnesota, yet they felt an immediate bond.

Taimani, who joined the Vikings as an undrafted free rookie in 2024, and Polamalu, who coached Vikings running backs from 2017-21, connected last week at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center. The two were featured speakers for an AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Heritage Month "SKOL Talk" panel, moderated by Vikings Executive VP of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski.

Polamalu and Taimani share Polynesian heritage and explained deep pride in their roots to Brzezinski, who, along with his wife, has adopted five children from South Korea.

Taimani expressed gratitude and respect for his grandparents, who immigrated to the United States from Tonga, while Polamalu was born in Samoa in 1963 and came to the mainland United States with his family — including nine siblings — in 1975.

"Part of [the reason behind relocating] was to have an opportunity to get a college education. Football was not part of it," said Polamalu, who wound up playing fullback for USC. "It was just to get a college education and help the next generation of my nephews and nieces get a college education."

Polamalu experienced culture shock upon arriving. Gas stoves, tennis shoes and a whole new language to learn and understand required adjustments. Even the approach to mealtimes proved drastically different than that of island living.

"We [cooked] in what we called the umu with rocks and you'd steam the food. … And you just had one meal," he explained. "I didn't know what breakfast, lunch and dinner meant.

"You become shy, quiet, because when learning English — the past and present tense, and the plurals — you got corrected more than anything," Polamalu added. "It felt lonely."

Slowly but surely, he grew accustomed to and settled into his new home.

And though he's now lived most of his life in the U.S., Polamalu continues to weave his heritage into everyday life, which has included coaching for multiple college and NFL teams over the years.

He used the phrase fia ma in his native language, which means feeling embarrassed to draw attention to oneself.

"Sitting here with me, you're going to feel fia ma. You're going to feel the sacrifice; you're going to feel the humility," Polamalu said. "That should come from working hard, because part of the culture when you grow up in Samoa, there was no job too small. I had chores every single day, and I still have chores when I go to a funeral in the family. It doesn't matter if I've coached 15 years in the NFL or that my nephew Troy is in the Hall of Fame — he's going to be back in the kitchen, serving the elders with respect.

"The more I'm around other people, they're going to feel what my culture is about," he added.

Polamalu, uncle to former Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, later reiterated the things his father taught him about family — blood-related or otherwise.

"My dad used to tell me, 'In our culture, we do not have orphans … because your child will be taken care of,' " he recounted. "My aunt couldn't have children, so my brother Junior became her son; Junior is still my brother, but we are going to take care of each other.

"My nephew Troy, he needed a male role model … me and my brothers are that for him," Polamalu added.

Taimani smiled and nodded as Polamalu spoke, the elder Polynesian's experience resonating deeply with the Vikings defensive lineman.

"I think about my grandparents, about them raising me and all the things they instilled in me," Taimani reflected. "I'm a very forward person; I like to meet everyone. I think no one is too big or too small. I think you should try to meet everyone around the organization."

He described his always-welcoming grandparents who would often host large groups of Taimani's friends and treat them as part of the family.

"I had teammates who aren't Polynesian spend weeks with me because my grandparents understood that some people — not everyone's home looks the same," Taimani said. "But when you're at our house, you're always family."

Since arriving in Minnesota two-plus years ago, Taimani has experienced similar hospitality from fellow Polynesian families who have opened their arms and their homes to him simply because of the shared culture.

Taimani shared he's received messages from families offering a home-cooked meal or a home away from home on the weekends.

"That means a lot to me," he said. "Growing up, I was really close with my family, and having that feeling reminds me of home. Whether I'm missing family or just going through something, that small gesture makes life a lot easier."

Taimani and Polamalu were raised to have a deep gratitude for life and blessings big and small:

"Mamalu i le Atua lava ia," or "Glory to God alone."

"Keep God first," Taimani said. "Never lose track of that. When you're [going through] hard times, pray.

"I feel like I have a big heart because of my grandpa. He fasts for me, prays for me every single day, since I've been in college — since I left the nest, I would call it," Taimani added. "Remember your roots. Don't get lost in materialistic things or anything like that. Stay rooted to who you are and to how you were raised."

Polamalu pointed to Troy's NFL career as an example of the above. Faith and family helped propel the former Steeler to stardom over 12 seasons.

Polamalu was the first of his family to go to college; that trickled down through the line, including to Troy, who also attended and graduated from USC. His uncle walked alongside him in multiple ways leading into the NFL, including in selecting Troy's agent and accountant.

"Like I said, it's hard to play in the NFL. It takes a village," Polamalu said. "It takes all of us here to build a culture of winning. It takes all of us, and it is very difficult. But that doesn't mean we can't do it. The thing that's great about our culture — we can have fun doing it, have joy, bring enthusiasm. Our culture is about singing, dancing, loving, caring.

"Yeah, we get on each other," Polamalu added with a smile, "but I'm going to tell you, there's nothing but love on the island. Nothing but love."

He and Taimani exude fierceness during competition. But away from the football field, they strive to represent their culture well and be known as kind, gracious, openhearted individuals.

And they certainly are.

Vikings defensive lineman Levi Drake Rodriguez attended the "SKOL Talk" presentation and listened intently to Taimani and Polamalu. He spoke up at the conclusion, sharing the impact Taimani has made on him since being drafted in the seventh round in 2024.

"I just want to thank you, Taki, for all that you're doing in my life. You're a true brother, bro. And I mean that with all my heart," Rodriguez said. "If you see Taki around the building, he's an open book and he's a sweet soul, man. He's love. He's joy.

"I just want to say thank you, Taki, thank you [Coach Polamalu], for all that you're doing," Rodriguez added. "Not only in the Polynesian culture, but for all the lives you're impacting on and off the field."

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