Domata Peko

Domata Peko [DOE-mah-tah "PECK-o] (born November 27, 1984) is a professional football player and defensive tackle selected by the Cincinnati Bengals as the 123rd pick in the 2006 NFL Draft out of Michigan State University. He is from Pago Pago, American Samoa. He is a lifelong friend of Bengals defensive end Jonathan Fanene. His brother, Tupe Peko, also played in the NFL.

Peko played his college football at Michigan State University. He wore number 96 for the Spartans who were coached by John L. Smith at the time. One of the most memorable moments of his career was against archrival Michigan when he returned a Chad Henne fumble for a touchdown in front of a roaring crowd at Spartan Stadium.

On April 18th, 2007, Domata Peko pulled an elderly man out of his Blazer that had flipped onto its roof at an intersection in Florence, Ky. Peko saw him get hit in the side and flip. The man, Dean Gregg, 74, didn’t know who the young man helping him was. Gregg is from Detroit and moved to Cannon, Ky., about two years ago, and was hit looking for the horse track.

Peko asked Gregg if he needed help and he replied "Yeah, open the door and get me out.” After Peko hauled him out he continued on his way to church driving from his home in Independence, Ky. “I was running late. About 10 minutes. I think that was a sign I was supposed to help,” he said.