Reno Mahe

Reno Mahe

Mahe in 2015
No. 34, 25
Position:	Running back, return specialist
Personal information
Born:	(1980-06-03) June 3, 1980 (age 43) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:	212 lb (96 kg)
Career information
High school:	Brighton (Cottonwood Heights, Utah)
College:	BYU
Undrafted:	2003
Career history
As a player:
Philadelphia Eagles (2003–2007)
As a coach:
BYU (2016–2017) Running backs coach
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards: 196 Rushing yards per attempt: 4.2 Receptions: 33 Receiving yards: 230 Total return yards: 1,600
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Sateki Reno Mahe Jr. (born June 3, 1980) is a former

in 2003.

Early life

Mahe was born June 3, 1980, in

Mahe played football at Brighton, where he was named All-State twice. As a senior, he led his team to a 10-1 record and was chosen as the Gatorade Utah Player of the Year. He also earned team MVP, All-Region, and region MVP honors in his final high school season. He lettered in football three times, and in basketball two times.

A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mahe put service as a missionary on hold after high school in order to concentrate on football. In 2009, he told an interviewer, "I really got caught up in the football world, and decided to play football. To this day, I still regret not going on my mission."^[1] The University of Utah offered him a chance to play defense; BYU offered him a chance to play offense. Although he was a fan of the Utes (because his elder brother had gone to Utah), he chose BYU for the opportunity to play offense.^[1] During his freshman season at BYU, fans knew him as Junior Mahe.

College career

Mahe's college football career at BYU started in 1998. As a true freshman that year, he had a significant role on the team. He served as backup to star running back Ronney Jenkins. Mahe rushed for 481 yards and scored 7 touchdowns during the season. He scored a touchdown in his first-ever college football game, a 38–31 BYU loss against Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

After a promising freshman season, Mahe was suspended from BYU for one year because of Honor Code violations. The BYU honor code stipulates that students must "be honest, live a chaste and virtuous life…use clean language" and abstain from alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee and drugs. Mahe transferred to

. He led the Western States Football League (WSFL) in receiving and scoring (122 total points) and was named to the All-WSFL First-team.

Mahe returned to BYU for his junior season in 2001. Under first-year coach

, Mahe set another season high with 14 receptions for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also filled in at running back, carrying the ball 8 times for 69 yards in Staley's absence. Despite Mahe's efforts, the Cougars lost, 72–45. The defeat shattered BYU's perfect season (they had a 12–0 record before the game against Hawaii).

Mahe's senior season at BYU wasn't as successful. The Cougars finished the season with a losing record, and Mahe's statistics declined. He totaled 59 receptions for 771 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was still good enough to earn All-MWC First-team honors again, and he finished his college career as one of the best receivers in BYU history.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Wonderlic
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	198 lb (90 kg)	29+3⁄4 in (0.76 m)	9+5⁄8 in (0.24 m)	4.71 s	1.60 s	2.74 s	4.23 s	7.27 s	32 in (0.81 m)	9 ft 1 in (2.77 m)	24
All measurements were taken at the NFL Scouting Combine.[2]

Philadelphia Eagles

Although he was not drafted into the NFL, Mahe joined the Philadelphia Eagles as a rookie free agent and made the team's 2003 opening day roster. He switched from wide receiver to his original position, running back.

In five seasons with the Eagles, he saw limited action. He played in 38 games, rushing 43 times for 178 yards and catching 27 passes for 196 yards. His major contributions for the Eagles came on special teams. In 2005, he led the NFL in punt returning with 21 returns for 269 yards, an average of 12.8 yards per return. All Pro this year. Mahe became a free agent following the 2006 season, but was re-signed to a one-year contract after the Eagles' lackluster special teams play led to a loss to the Green Bay Packers in week one of the 2007 season. He elected to retire after this season.

Coaching career

Mahe was hired by Kalani Sitake as BYU's running backs coach in 2016 and coached for two seasons.^[3]

Personal life

Mahe's married his college girlfriend, Sunny, who was an All-American volleyball player at BYU. They are the parents of 10 children, five daughters and five sons. One daughter was mortally injured in a household accident in November 2016 at age 3.^[4] Mahe is related to ex-Eagle Vai Sikahema. During his offseason workouts in Philadelphia during the summer, Mahe took on a part-time job at Chickie's and Pete's restaurant.^[5]

References