Tavita Asotui Peter Eli (born January 31, 1996) is a professional Canadian football offensive lineman for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
| No. 65 Winnipeg Blue Bombers | |
 Eli with the Blue Bombers in 2021 | |
| Born: | January 31, 1996 Richmond, British Columbia |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | 1-Game Injured |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | Offensive lineman |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Weight | 326 lb (148 kg) |
| College | Hawaii |
| CFL draft | 2019, round: 4, pick: 34 |
| Drafted by | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2019–2021, 2023–present | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Career stats | |
| |
College career
editAfter using a redshirt season in 2014, Eli played college football for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors from 2015 to 2017.[1] An injury in 2018 cost him the entire season and he walked away from football.[2]
Professional career
editPrior to the 2019 CFL Draft, Eli was contacted by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to see if he was interested in playing football again, to which he responded yes.[2] Ultimately, he was drafted in the fourth round, 34th overall by the Bombers.[2] Eli helped anchor the Bombers' offensive line during their 2019 season where he played in five regular season games. In that same season, he also played in the 107th Grey Cup where the Blue Bombers won over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 33–12, which was the team's first Grey Cup in 28 years.
In a shortened 2021 season, Eli played in all 14 regular season games and the West Final.[3] However, he was suspended prior to the 108th Grey Cup due to his vaccination status from COVID-19.[4][5] He became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 8, 2022, and sat out the 2022 CFL season.[6]
On January 28, 2023, Eli signed a three-year contract to return to play for the Blue Bombers.[5]
Personal life
editEli was born in Richmond, British Columbia to parents Vaeluaga and Julianne Eli; he is of Samoan heritage.[1][2] He has a brother, Misikopa, and two sisters, Leilani and Hannah.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Asotui Eli". Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Ed Tait (May 16, 2019). "Asotui Rekindling Fire for Football". Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
- ^ "Asotui Eli". Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ "Blue Bombers suspend Canadian offensive lineman Asotui Eli". 3DownNation. December 7, 2021.
- ^ a b "Eli returns to Bombers with three-year deal". Winnipeg Sun. January 18, 2023.
- ^ "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved March 25, 2023.