Two Trojans live college life in a different way — as a married player
By Brian Nichols
USCRipsIt
PeteCarroll.com
The time commitment that most athletes make to their sport at USC is equivalent to that of a full-time job. Not to mention, athletes also have an obligation to academics. This packed schedule leaves little room for much else.
However, for two Trojans, this is just the beginning.
Welcome to the lives of fullback Adam Goodman and offensive guard Alatini “Tiny” Malu. These two players share a unique lifestyle that separates them from the rest of the team.
They are both newlyweds.
As if football and school are not enough, Goodman and Malu are constantly fulfilling yet another obligation. Within the last year, Goodman and Malu both tied the knot with their fiancées.
School, USC Football, and marriage — talk about having a lot on the table.
“It’s a lot of work,” Malu said. However, he added, “I think it helps me more, she stays on top of me about schoolwork and helps me when I am down after a rough practice or game…she really boosts me up and is very understanding.”
Goodman agreed in terms of his new marriage.
“It’s kind of difficult at times…but we get to go home to each other so instead of having to balance out time for her like before we were married, we live with each other and it is actually easier now.”
Malu, 26, and his wife Alisia Fu’e were married June 30. The two live in Carson.
Goodman, 20, dated his wife Jessica since his sophomore year of high school, and the two got married Feb. 24. Jessica works as an administrative assistant at a financial firm in Orange County and the couple lives in Huntington Beach, meaning Goodman has a long daily trek from home to campus.
“It’s a sacrifice, but it’s worth it,” Goodman said. “She’s letting me play football so I have to commute. It is kind of give and take. That’s what you have to do when you are married.”
Smart man.
Goodman is a redshirt sophomore transfer who is on the travel roster and is second on the depth chart to Stanley Havili. Likewise, Malu is on the travel roster and rotates in behind starter Chilo Rachal at offensive guard. He is a redshirt senior.
While they both have so much going on aside from football, they still feel completely part of the team.
“I still hang out with my boys, we’re still tight as ever,” Malu said.
Goodman agrees: “I think our marriages have earned the respect of our teammates, because they realize how hard it is, and a lot of guys can’t do what we are doing.”
However, there is a time every day that they have to put their marriage on the shelf. Literally.
Every day before practice or a game, Goodman and Malu have to remove the one piece of equipment that stays with them longer than any of the rest of their gear.
Their rings.
While Malu just puts his next to his “wallet and keys,” Goodman is a little bit more protective.
“If I just set it down, I know I will lose it,” Goodman said.
To address this dilemma, he found that an effective strategy is to hook it to a clip on his phone holster, a routine he does “every time, just in case.”
While it may seem that removing this symbol of eternal commitment may temporarily divide the married couples, Goodman and Malu both explain that during games there is no divide at all. Both wives prove to be dedicated fans.
“Her dad played at USC, and then played eight years for the Colts and the Jets so she has grown up around football her whole life,” Goodman said. “So she is really supportive and always watches.”
Malu has had a similar experience with his wife’s involvement in his football career.
“She knows about football,” Malu said. “It’s funny because she picks up on my mistakes, and sometimes will even ask, ‘What happened on that play?’”
• Brian Nichols is a staff writer for USCRipsIt/PeteCarroll.com.
