Joseph Lafaele Tuipala (born September 13, 1976) is a former American football linebacker. He is the nephew of former New England Patriots running back Mosi Tatupu, and first cousin of Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu. He played two seasons in the National Football League (NFL), with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was also a member of the New Orleans Saints and Washington Redskins, including assignments to various NFL Europe teams.[1]
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, he is of Samoan descent. Tuipala is the son of Tautofi Tuipala (father) and Maude "Moki" Scanlan (mother), both from American Samoa. Tuipala attended Sherman E. Burroughs High School in Ridgecrest, California. He went on to play college football at San Diego State, and was named Defensive MVP of the 1998 Las Vegas Bowl.