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The Hunt Down
Name: Al Noga
Claim to Fame, Minnesota: a 1988 third-round pick of the Vikings, the Noga was a defensive end on some dominant Minnesota front fours from 1988 to 1992. You could argue that lining up with the likes of Keith Millard, Chris Doleman and Henry Thomas would pad anyone’s stats, but Noga acquitted himself nicely, posting 29.5 sacks in his four years as a starter. (NOTE: the 1989 sack numbers for the above four are remarkable, in case you’ve forgotten/weren’t born yet. Thomas was the low man with nine!)
Claim to Fame, Everywhere Else: best known as being one of the Noga brothers (click that link for the photo alone); Niko was a linebacker for the Cardinals and Lions, Pete played briefly in the NFL, and all three were standouts at the University of Hawaii.
Where He Is Now: back in Hawaii, where he is hoping to open a “daycare” facility for former NFL players. Unfortunately, Niko is one of the former players who is in need of this type of service. The article also notes that Al is working towards a master’s degree in business administration from his alma mater.
Is He On Twitter: no.
Glorious Randomness #1: at some point, some criminals in Hawaii were dumb enough to threaten Al and Niko Noga. That just seems like a horrible idea.
Glorious Randomness #2: Noga’s wife Kathi (ONE OF US!) was a member of ‘80s pop group The Jets. By request, here is one of the definitive roller-skating jams of the mid-to-late 1980s, Crush On You.
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