Jonathan Fanene
A Samoan defensive force who rose from junior college to become a valued rotational lineman for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American football player·Birthday: March 19·Millennials
Biography
Jonathan Fanene's football journey was one of relentless upward mobility. Born in American Samoa, he moved to California and first played at College of the Canyons, a junior college, before transferring to the University of Utah. There, he developed into a powerful defensive end, enough to be selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round of the 2005 draft. In Cincinnati, he transformed from a raw prospect into a versatile and dependable part of the defensive line rotation over seven seasons. Fanene was known for his strong hands and ability to pressure the quarterback from the interior, peaking with a 6.5-sack season in 2011. His career, though cut short by injury after a brief move to New England, stands as an example of a late-round draft pick maximizing his opportunity through hard work and adaptability.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jonathan was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jonathan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Jonathan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played seven seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals, appearing in 86 games with 13.5 career sacks.
- Recorded a career-high 6.5 sacks during the 2011 NFL season.
- Was part of a Bengals defensive line that helped the team reach the playoffs in 2009 and 2011.
- Earned a scholarship to the University of Utah after beginning his college career at College of the Canyons.
Did You Know?
He is the cousin of former NFL defensive lineman Domata Peko.
In 2011, he scored his only NFL touchdown on a fumble recovery in the end zone against the Seattle Seahawks.
His 2012 signing with the New England Patriots was voided after he failed a physical, effectively ending his NFL career.
“You have to earn your respect on the field, every single play.”
