24 Facts About Mark Tuinei

Mark Pulemau Tuinei was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.

Mark Tuinei played college football for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

Mark Tuinei was selected for the Pro Bowl in 1994 and 1995.

Mark Tuinei was named the Hawaii Prep Lineman of the Year as a senior, won the state shot put championship and was an All-Star basketball player on the same team as Barack Obama.

Mark Tuinei played for two seasons at UCLA where he started at defensive tackle as a sophomore, finishing fifth on the team in tackles.

Mark Tuinei was nagged by injuries his senior year and played in only seven games, including 5 starts at defensive tackle.

Mark Tuinei made the team as a backup defensive tackle.

In 1990, during a season that experienced a number of players being juggled around the offensive line, Mark Tuinei remained a solid foundation at left tackle, by starting all 13 games he played, and missing 3 contests with a sprained right knee he suffered against the New York Jets.

Mark Tuinei was forced to sit out the game, but was able to return against the Los Angeles Raiders, contributing to Smith earning his second consecutive NFL rushing championship.

Mark Tuinei returned to the starting lineup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Mark Tuinei helped the offensive line establish a new franchise record by allowing 20 sacks in a season, while being elected for his first Pro Bowl.

Mark Tuinei received his second selection to the Pro Bowl, as part of a line that broke the team record by allowing just 18 sacks in a season.

Mark Tuinei missed playing time against the Atlanta Falcons after re-aggravating his injury in the first quarter.

Mark Tuinei only sat out the season finale against the Washington Redskins and returned for the playoffs.

Mark Tuinei was just one of those unsung players that goes out and does their job.

Mark Tuinei was one of those kind of players every team needs.

Mark Tuinei helped to protect Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman and pave the way for Hall of Fame running back Smith to become the National Football League all-time leading rusher.

Mark Tuinei is considered to be one of the greatest offensive tackles in Cowboys franchise history.

In May 1999, Mark Tuinei was found unconscious in his antique Ford car, and he was pronounced dead upon arrival at a hospital in the Dallas suburb of Plano.

Mark Tuinei had been planning to return to Punahou School to serve as the offensive line coach.

The autopsy revealed that Mark Tuinei died of a combination of heroin and a form of the drug ecstasy.

Mark Tuinei got the heroin from four people who belonged to a drug ring.

Mark Tuinei's brother, Tom, was an All-WAC defensive tackle at the University of Hawaii, before playing for the Detroit Lions and the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos.

At the time of his death, he was married to Pono Mark Tuinei and had 2 children.