Esera Tavai Tuaolo (born July 11, 1968) is a retired American professional … Read Full Bio ↴Esera Tavai Tuaolo (born July 11, 1968) is a retired American professional football player. He was a defensive lineman in the NFL for nine years.
Tuaolo, who is of Samoan ancestry, born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and was raised in poverty in a banana-farming family. His father died when Tuaolo was ten years of age.
He played college football at Oregon State University and was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He was selected in the 1991 NFL Draft. Nicknamed "Mr. Aloha", Tuaolo played nose tackle for several teams in his career, reaching the Super Bowl in 1999 while playing with the Atlanta Falcons. He also played for the Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers during his career.
He also recorded the last tackle of football legend John Elway.
In 2002, having retired from sports, he announced to the public that he is gay, coming out on HBO's Real Sports. This made him the third former NFL player to come out, after David Kopay and Roy Simmons. He has since worked with the NFL to attempt to combat homophobia in the league and is a board member of the Gay and Lesbian Athletics Foundation. He also made an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2004 to share his coming-out story as well.
In 2006, Tuaolo sang the national anthem at the opening ceremony of the Gay Games VII, a quadrennial Olympics-style event. During his career with the Packers, Tuaolo once sang the anthem before a game against the Chicago Bears. Kopay administered the official's oath during the opening ceremony. Also that year, he testified at the State Legislature Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in opposition to an anti-gay-marriage bill.
Tuaolo's relationship with Mitchell Wherley ended in July 2007.
Tuaolo's autobiography, Alone In The Trenches: My Life As A Gay Man In The NFL, was released in Spring, 2006. He also appeared on The Tyra Banks Show talking about his becoming open about his homosexuality to the NFL and speaking out against their "Don't ask, don't tell" policy which is similarly held by U.S. Scouts groups and the U.S. military services.

Rise Up
Esera Tuaolo Lyrics

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You're broken down and tired
Of living life on a merry go round
And you can't find the fighter
But I see it in you so we gonna walk it out
Move mountains
Walk it out
Move mountains

And I'll rise up
I'll rise like the day
I'll rise up
I'll rise unafraid
I'll rise up
And I'll do it a thousand times again
For you
For you
For you
Yeah

When the silence isn't quiet
And it feels like it's getting hard to breathe
And I know you feel like dying
But I promise we'll take the world to its feet
And move mountains
Move mountains

And I'll rise up
Rise like the day
And I'll rise up
I'll rise unafraid
I'll rise up
And I'll do it a thousand times again
For you
For you
For you
Yeah

All we need, all we need is hope
And for that we have each other
We have each other
We will rise
We will rise
We'll rise
For that we have each other
We have each other

And I'll rise up
Rise like the day
And I'll rise up
In spite of the aches
I will rise up
And I'll do a thousands times again

I'll rise up
Rise up like the waves
And I'll rise up
In spite of the ache
And I'll rise up
And I'll do it a thousands times again
For you yeah

For you
For you

Overall Meaning

The song "Rise Up" by Esera Tuaolo is an anthem of strength, perseverance, and hope. The lyrics convey a message of support and encouragement to someone who is feeling tired, broken, and unable to find the strength to keep going. The singer acknowledges their struggles but also sees the fighter within them, and together they will face their challenges and overcome them.

The repetition of the phrase "Move mountains" emphasizes the power and determination to overcome obstacles. It symbolizes the ability to conquer any difficulty that comes their way. This line encourages the listener to keep pushing forward, even when it feels impossible. It serves as a reminder that with strength and perseverance, one can achieve great things.

The chorus of the song, "I'll rise up, I'll rise like the day, I'll rise unafraid," portrays a sense of resilience and fearlessness. It conveys the message that the person will rise above their troubles, overcoming their fears and doubts. This determination is reiterated in the line "I'll do it a thousand times again," highlighting the unwavering commitment to keep pushing forward, no matter how many times they may fall.

The song acknowledges the struggles and pain, stating "when the silence isn't quiet and it feels like it's getting hard to breathe." It recognizes that life can sometimes be overwhelming, but the singer promises to stand by their side and lift them up. The line "But I promise we'll take the world to its feet" expresses the support and unity they share. It reinforces the idea that together, they can face anything and bring change.

The song also highlights the importance of hope and the power of unity. The line "All we need is hope and for that, we have each other" emphasizes the strength found in solidarity and mutual support. It reminds us that we can overcome any challenge when we lean on one another. By repeating the phrase "We will rise," the singer emphasizes the collective strength and determination they possess.

Overall, "Rise Up" is a powerful song that aims to uplift and inspire. It encourages listeners to find the inner strength to overcome adversity, emphasizes the importance of unity and support, and reminds us that hope can prevail, no matter how tough the journey may be.

Line by Line Meaning

You're broken down and tired
You're feeling exhausted and worn out

Of living life on a merry go round
Of experiencing a repetitive and unfulfilling life

And you can't find the fighter
And you can't find the strength within yourself

But I see it in you so we gonna walk it out
But I see the determination in you, so we will overcome it together

Move mountains
Overcome the biggest challenges

Walk it out
Take gradual steps towards your goals

And I'll rise up
And I will stand strong

I'll rise like the day
I'll rise confidently, just like the rising sun

I'll rise unafraid
I'll rise without fear

And I'll do it a thousand times again
And I'll keep pushing forward, no matter how many times I have to do it

For you
For your sake, for your well-being