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PLAYER BIO6-2 | 330 | HAWAII | 8TH YEAR | BORN 9.4.81 | FAGASA, AMERICAN SAMOAACQUIRED D-4A IN ‘04 | SAMOANA HS, PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOAIsaac Sopoaga has been a key component of the 49ers defensiveline rotation since being drafted in the 4th-round of the 2004 NFLDraft. His size, versatility and athleticism make him an ideal fit forthe 49ers 3-4 scheme, as he can play both defensive tackle as wellas nose tackle. In 2010, he set a career high with 75 tackles and tiedhis career high with 1.5 sacks. One of the unsung stars of the 49ersdefense, Sopoaga was recognized for his play by being named to theUSA Today 2010 All-Joe Team. A native of American Samoa, Sopoagabrings his island flair to the 49ers locker room, from his traditionaltribal face paint to his unique pregame rituals.// TRANSACTIONSOriginally the first of two 4th-round (104th pick overall) draft choicesby SF in 2004...Signed a 5-year contract extenstion through the2012 season on 2/27/08.// AWARDS & HONORS2010: USA Today All-Joe Team// GOLDMINE• Growing up in American Samoa, Isaac’s first sport was rugby. Part ofhis conditioning routine was to strengthen his arms by lifting bagsfilled with coconuts and logs from harvested trees. His leg workoutwas also geographically oriented. Said Isaac, “Have you ever seen a325-pound guy climb a coconut tree?”• The youngest boy in his family, Isaac didn’t have the easiest childhood,but he credits his brothers for shaping him into the man he istoday. “I really thank my brothers for staying on me when we weregrowing up. Since I was the youngest, I was responsible for all of thechores. It was definitely hard, but my brothers really taught me thevalue of hard work and the success that can come of it.” Today, Isaacstill takes pride in handling a bulk of the chores at home with hiswife and four children.// 2010• Set a career-high with 75 tackles, while tying a career-high with1.5 sacks.• Saw action at FB in the 4th qtr. vs. Oak. (10/17) and cleared a runninglane for RB Frank Gore to convert a 3rd and 2 play to seal thevictory.• Combined with DT Justin Smith to bring down QB Aaron Rodgers atGB (12/5).• Sacked QB Philip Rivers at SD (12/16).// 2009• Helped hold the Cardinals to 40 yds. rushing on 17 carries (2.4 ypc.)at Arz. (9/13), tallying 4 tackles to go along with 1 PD.• Registered 7 tackles at Min. (9/27).• Sacked QB Peyton Manning at Ind. (11/1).// 2008• Had 1 PD and a season-high 6 tackles at NO (9/28).• Registered 5 tackles and 1 sack vs. NE (10/5).// 2007• Started vs. Sea. (9/30) in nickel set, and vs. StL (11/18), at Arz. (11/25)and at Car. (12/2) in place of an injured DT Aubrayo Franklin (calf) atNT.• Started at DT in a 4-3 alignment vs. Min. (12/9) and tallied 4 tackles.// 2006• Saw action along D-line vs. StL (9/17), recording 3 tackles and recoveringa fumble on Rams’ 17-yd. line in 4th qtr. when teammate DEMarques Douglas sacked QB Marc Bulger. Fumble recovery yielded4th-qtr. FG to put 49ers ahead 20-13.• Posted 3 tackles and first career solo sack at Sea. (12/14), takingdown QB Matt Hasselbeck in 3rd qtr. to force a Seattle punt.• Made first start of season vs. Arz. (12/24) in place of DT Ron Fields(arm) and recorded a career-high 8 tackles.• Started second consecutive game at Den. (12/31) and posted 3 tackles.// 2005• Made first career NFL start at Ten. (11/27) when DT Anthony Adamswas moved from NT to LDE in place of injured DE Bryant Young(knee), and responded by recording 3 tackles.// 2004• Spent 2004 on IR due to a back injury suffered in training camp.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS \\151// MEDIA GUIDE