Laekin Vakalahi

Offensive Tackle, Los Angeles Chargers · #78.

Player facts

Team: Los Angeles Chargers
Position: Offensive Tackle
Number: 78
Born: Jan 28, 2003 (age 23)
Birthplace: Brisbane, ACT, Australia
Height: 6' 5"
Weight: 327 lbs
Experience: 1 season
Status: Practice Squad

About

Laekin Vakalahi (born 28 January 2003) is a New Zealand-Australian professional American football offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL) and former rugby league player.

From Wikipedia’s article on Laekin Vakalahi, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.¹

Background

Early life

Vakalahi was born in Auckland, New Zealand and played junior rugby league in Brisbane for the Ormeau Shearers. He later moved to Melbourne where he played basketball. After a chance encounter in Hawaii with his family and Bill Carey, a friend of Philadelphia Eagles international scout Chris Naeole who was impressed by his 35-inch arms 83–inch wingspan. He was given an official try-out and he began to train at Conquest Athletic Performance in Australia, previously used by Baltimore Ravens' Daniel Faalele.

Personal life

Vakalahi's parents are Frank and Mary Vakalahi. He has four siblings, including a younger brother Kobe Vakalahi. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he spent two years completing his mission service in Wellington, New Zealand prior to 2024. He is a citizen of New Zealand.

From Wikipedia’s article on Laekin Vakalahi, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article.¹