More Than 1,000 Attended Texas A&M Player’s Funeral

Polo Manukainiu has finally been laid to rest drawing more than 1,000 attendees during his funeral ceremony. Manukainiu was killed on the spot in a car accident last July 29 along with his brother 13-year old Andrew "Lolo" Uhatafe, says USA Today. Manukainiu was only 19 years old.

Gaius Vaenuku, an incoming member of the Utah football team was also killed in the car accident. Manukainiu, Uhatafe and Vaenuku were with two other people inside a 2002 Toyota Sequoia vehicle that night. The car reportedly rolled several times after the driver over corrected drifting off the driveway, says Aggie Athletics. According to records from New Mexico State Police, only the driver was wearing a seat belt.

Among the 1,000 people who mourned for the football player's death are family members and about 75 players and more staff of the Texas A&M football team. Manukainiu holds a defensive lineman position in the team.

"We lost a terrific young man," Texas A&M head football coach Kevin Sumlin said in a report by Aggie Athletics. "Polo was loved by his teammates and coaches. Anyone who came in contact with him was struck by his sense of humor and smile. My heart aches for his mom and family members."

Manukainiu's family members remarked that he and his brother were "humble boys who brought smiles to everyone they meet."

"The heavenly father gave me those beautiful sons for me to take care of them," their mother, Talima Uhatafe said as she wiped away tears. "To teach them (how) to be humble," she continued in a USA Today report.

The funeral service was held both in English and in Tongan - the family's ethnicity. Most family members wore a ta'ovala to the service. The ta'ovala is a traditional Tongan dress used during formal occasions. The service was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Fort Worth suburb of Colleyville.