Mark Tuinei

Mark Pulemau Tuinei (March 31, 1960 – May 6, 1999) was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL).

He played college football for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

Known as a "gentle giant", his career lasted for 15 years (1983–1997) and his ability to protect quarterback Troy Aikman and to run-block for running back Emmitt Smith helped them win Super Bowls in 1992, 1993, and 1995 and the NFC East Division in 1985 and 1992-96.

Although he was selected by the Boston Breakers in the 19th round (227th overall) of the 1983 USFL Draft, he opted to sign as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 1983.

He made the team as a backup defensive tackle.

Considered one of the strongest players on the team, in his first two years he played mostly on special teams and short yardage situations, while being a backup at both defensive end and defensive tackle.

In the 1985 preseason, the Cowboys offense needed help and like defensive tackles Blaine Nye and Pat Donovan before him, he was switched to play on the offensive line, backing up Tom Rafferty at center.

In 1986, he worked at all three offensive line positions until settling at offensive tackle.

However injuries to Kevin Brooks and Don Smerek early in the season, forced him to split time between the defensive and offensive lines.

In the fifth week against the Denver Broncos, he led the defensive line with six tackles while replacing an injured Randy White.

In the next game, he was named the starting left tackle against the Washington Redskins and remained there for the rest of the season.

In 1987, he was progressing through his second season as the starting left tackle, when he sustained a left knee injury in the Thanksgiving game against the Minnesota Vikings, losing the last month on the injured reserve list.

The next year he reinjured the same knee early in the season, but still saw action in 5 games before being put on injured reserve.

In 1989, he didn't miss a play in a game or a practice.

In 1990, during a season that experienced a number of players being juggled around the offensive line, 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.

In 1991, he suffered a groin injury that forced him to miss 4 games, returning to the starting lineup against the Houston Oilers, to help Emmitt Smith lead the NFL in rushing.

In 1992, he started the first 5 games, but injured his back lifting weights in the week leading up to the Kansas City Chiefs contest.

He 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.

He was also selected for the Pro Bowl in 1994 and 1995.

Tuinei was born in Oceanside, California, and raised in Nānākuli, Hawaii.

He attended Punahou School in Honolulu.

He 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.

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

The next year, he decided to drop out of the school before facing the possibility of being expelled after a fight incident.

As a junior, he transferred back home to the University of Hawaiʻi, but was suspended for the year, after being indicted on assault charges that led to spending three months in prison.

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

In 1994, he suffered back spasms in the first quarter against the Washington Redskins, that required him to spend 2 nights in the hospital and miss the Arizona Cardinals game.

He returned to the starting lineup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

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

In 1995, he contributed to Smith winning his fourth rushing title, score an NFL record 25 rushing touchdowns and gain a club record 1,773 rushing yards.

He 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.

The next year suffered a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee in a preseason game against the New England Patriots, which eventually required offseason surgery.

Despite the injury, he contributed to the offensive line leading the league in allowing the fewest sacks with 19.

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

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

Knee problems ended his career after the 1997 season, when Larry Allen took over for him at left tackle.

"We just all loved the guy," said former Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach.

"He was just a gentle giant. He was just one of those unsung players that goes out and does their job. He was one of those kind of players every team needs. He was a role model for the NFL."

In 2007, he was inducted into the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame.

In 2015, he was inducted into the Polynesian Hall of Fame.