Jacksonville, Florida. Former Jacksonville Jaguars guard Vince Manuwai died on Sunday in his home state of Hawaii, his family confirmed to the Honolulu Advertiser. He was 38.
According to the Advertiser, Manuwai collapsed while attempting to move into an apartment in Kakaako, Oahu.
Manuwai was taken by the Jaguars in the third round of the 2003 NFL draft from the University of Hawaii. He spent eight seasons with Jacksonville, starting 105 games.
“We are saddened by the news of Vince Manuwai’s passing,” the Jaguars said in a statement. “For eight seasons, Vincent was a quiet, strong, dependable, and respected member of the Jaguars family. Throughout his career, he was an important member of our offensive line, and the way he went about his duties set a good example for his teammates and others. We extend our sympathies, thoughts, and gratitude to the Manuwai family in memory of Vince.”
Fred Taylor, a former Jaguars running back, dubbed Manuwai one of his favorite teammates in an Instagram post.
“Big Vince never complained and he was always down for the s—,” Taylor noted in an email. “He’d always say, ‘Whatever you want to do, bruddah, I got you,’ and he’d rush to grab guys from the pile and pick me up. “I love you, bruddah; RIP big fella!”
Jaguars coach Doug Marrone stated he did not know Manuwai but had a remarkable encounter with him when he was the offensive line coach for the New York Jets and went to work out Manuwai prior to the 2003 draft.
“Back in my younger days, I’d get in those drills and hold the bags,” Marrone told me. “Vince, he hit me square on the ass. That s— became viral. All the line coaches who were once my pals — many of them are no longer in the league — are like, ‘Oh, my god, I can’t believe it.’ I am like, ‘That guy is strong!’
