Invariably bystanders would gawk at the Super Bowl ring Pio Sagapolutele earned as a starting defensive lineman for the New England Patriots.

But as much as he admired that ring, Sagapolutele took more pride in the journey that took him from the Kuhio Park Terrace housing project to Super Bowl XXXI in 1997.

From his native American Samoa to Maryknoll School, a Prep Bowl title with Pac-Five in 1985 and San Diego State to an eight-year NFL career, there was a lot for Sagapolutele to be proud of. Plenty to look back upon and celebrate in a life that ended far too young Sunday at age 39 in Arizona, two days after suffering a brain aneurysm.

When asked about his most memorable moment in a 2005 interview, Sagapolutele told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, "My best memory was just being out there on the field for my first (NFL) game. I was playing for the Browns (in 1991) and I remember sitting on the field stretching in the pre-game, thinking about growing up in Kalihi ... and how far I had come."

Pastor Joe Onosai of the Word of Life Christian Center, who grew up at KPT and preceded him at Pac-Five, said Sagapolutele was admired for the climb. "The odds of someone from KPT going to succeed in the NFL ... they were very slim," Onosai said. "I think, for all of us that grew up in KPT, we were very proud of him."

Sagapolutele was somebody to look up to for more than just his commanding (6-foot-6, 297-pound) size. He paid tribute to his roots returning as an assistant coach for Pac-Five and rounding up other pros for youth clinics. "He was very down-to-earth," said his high school football coach, Don Botelho. "Very compassionate."

A Browns officials said New England head coach Bill Belichick expressed "great sadness" at the news of Sagapolutele's death. Belichick drafted him in the fourth round out of San Diego State in 1991. When Belichick went to New England, he brought in Sagapolutele to start 13 games, including the Super Bowl loss to Green Bay.

Ironically, Sagapolutele began as a basketball and volleyball player. He helped the Spartans to the state basketball title game in 1986 with seven blocks in the semifinal game. But volleyball gave way to football as he filled out.

For all his intimidating physical attributes, Sagapolutele remained, "a humble, quiet guy," recalls high school basketball coach Tony Sellitto.

Sagapolutele leaves behind a wife and four children. Funeral services in Honolulu are pending.