Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: Bruce Waterfield
What Motivates Me – Motekiai Maile
September 15, 2016 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER - Family is everything to Oklahoma State senior Motekiai Maile. It's what motivates him to push to be better every day.
Everyone has tough days and Maile is no different. It's on those days he knows he can rely on his family to help keep him going on the right track to being the best he can be on and off the field.
"(Family) is my motto," he said. "Everything I do is with my family. If I'm disgracing myself, I'm disgracing my family. My family is my No. 1 goal in life. Just to give them everything that I have."
His motivation and support recently suffered a loss with his father tragically passing away a couple weeks ago. Understandably, this was tough on him and his family.
But Maile knows his dad is still watching and is proud of his accomplishments and his work ethic, which is why he is able to support his family while they support him.
"My mom's keeping strong," he said. "But there's days where I call her and there aren't a lot of people around so she's kind of depressed, so I try to spend as much time as possible with my mom just talking to her and keeping her motivated."
Maile and his family come from humble beginnings. While he grew up in Euless, Texas, his family had its start in Hihifo, Tonga, located in the southern Pacific Ocean. His siblings and parents were all born there and came to the United States speaking little to no English.
The 6-foot-3 defensive tackle didn't grow up with a lot of things, but he appreciated what he did have and the opportunities he was given to get to where he is now in life.
This is an opportunity fueled by family. He calls them every day, no matter what. Even though he hasn't seen them in months, he leans on them for support and motivation as if he sees them daily.
"I got an opportunity to go to school and a junior college offered me coming out," Maile said. "Then Oklahoma State gave me a chance and I'm taking full advantage of it. Ever since then, I don't plan on stopping anytime soon."
Everyone has tough days and Maile is no different. It's on those days he knows he can rely on his family to help keep him going on the right track to being the best he can be on and off the field.
"(Family) is my motto," he said. "Everything I do is with my family. If I'm disgracing myself, I'm disgracing my family. My family is my No. 1 goal in life. Just to give them everything that I have."
His motivation and support recently suffered a loss with his father tragically passing away a couple weeks ago. Understandably, this was tough on him and his family.
But Maile knows his dad is still watching and is proud of his accomplishments and his work ethic, which is why he is able to support his family while they support him.
"My mom's keeping strong," he said. "But there's days where I call her and there aren't a lot of people around so she's kind of depressed, so I try to spend as much time as possible with my mom just talking to her and keeping her motivated."
Maile and his family come from humble beginnings. While he grew up in Euless, Texas, his family had its start in Hihifo, Tonga, located in the southern Pacific Ocean. His siblings and parents were all born there and came to the United States speaking little to no English.
The 6-foot-3 defensive tackle didn't grow up with a lot of things, but he appreciated what he did have and the opportunities he was given to get to where he is now in life.
This is an opportunity fueled by family. He calls them every day, no matter what. Even though he hasn't seen them in months, he leans on them for support and motivation as if he sees them daily.
"I got an opportunity to go to school and a junior college offered me coming out," Maile said. "Then Oklahoma State gave me a chance and I'm taking full advantage of it. Ever since then, I don't plan on stopping anytime soon."
Players Mentioned
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