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Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens aren't the only NFL stars keeping themselves busy during the lockout. Former Utah Ute Sione Po'uha wakes up every morning to a list of things to do. But bull riding and moseying up next to models aren't on his agenda.
With no end to the lockout in sight, Po'uha has been hard at work trying to get his business off the ground while also being a role model to youths in Salt Lake City. As a leader on one of the best defenses in the NFL, the New York Jets' defensive linemen found himself surrounded by tons of energy drinks in the locker room. There, Po'uha saw an opportunity to explore an untapped market and went for it. Desiring to have something that would mellow him out before a game, Po'uha created Bula (Drinkbula.com), an anti-energy relaxation drink from his South Pacific roots made of Kava, Valerian and Rose Hip.
As Po'uha prepared to celebrate Bula's first anniversary, he decided to bring the celebration home to Salt Lake City and involve the community he keeps close to his heart.
"I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, and so I always look for a way to come home," said Po'uha. "I'm a product of this community and my roots run real deep here."
The Bula One Love Celebration featured a free reggae concert and fireworks show during Fourth of July activities at Liberty Park. But while Monday's activities celebrated the combination of Po'uha's business venture and the nation's holiday, his Dream Big Football Camp (dreambigfootball.com) at East High school was the highlight event.
"Being a hometown kid this is the first time I've had the opportunity to come back and have some events like this," said Po'uha.
"We've been blessed with the opportunity to play in the NFL and were due to come back to Utah to do something for the kids. It's more of a celebration type thing that all just kind of tied in together."
Po'uha, along with Ma'ake Kemoeatu (Redskins), Chris Kemoeatu (Steelers), Naufahu Tahi (Vikings), Harvey Unga (Bears), Koa Misi (Dolphins), Paul Kruger (Ravens), and Paul Soliai (Dolphins), participated in the two-day camp, which drew more than 1,000 kids between the ages of 8-17.
East High coach Brandon Matich was amazed by the huge turnout, although the admission was only $10.
"When Sione first approached me with the idea of wanting to do this and give back to the community and East High School, I don't think our expectations were to have 1,000 kids show up with little to no advertising," said Matich.
Supported with the help of provisions sponsored by PowerAde and McDonald's, the camp has the opportunity to bring in financial backers. Kevin Bradley is a friend of Po'uha's. They met through the Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund. The corporate manager of diversity for McDonald's is hoping that the two entities can unite in the future.
"I came out and looked at the camp, and we're hoping that the region will come out because it's a very worthwhile cause," said Bradley. "It fits into the McDonald's giving philosophy because we're all about kids and family and this is a big event for that."
As Po'uha and friends set up for the camp's final day Friday, the 6-foot-3, 325-pound man who tackles people for a living took a minute to search for the words that would sum up the emotion of the moment.
"This is priceless," said Po'uha. "The line went down the stairs and wrapped down the parking lot all the way down the side of the street. I wasn't really expecting this, and it makes you really grateful. Everyone caught on to what I was trying to do and the vision came through a hundredfold."