Former Oregon Football Linebacker Fotu Leiato Found Dead

Former Oregon Football Linebacker Fotu Leiato was found deceased following a car crash early Thursday near Autzen Stadium in Eugene.

Leiato was a member of the Oregon Football team for three seasons finding moderate success entering his Senior Season, but off the field issues cost him a spot on the team. He was arrested in February and subsequently found trouble with the law again in April when he attempted to remove a parking boot from his vehicle. He was arrested for the act which was his final strike with Oregon Football and he was dismissed from the team.

On Thursday the former Oregon Linebacker’s body was found five hours following a single vehicle accident early Friday morning. 22 Year Old Pedro Chavarin Jr. was driving the vehicle before it rolled over according to the Eugene Register Guard. The driver said initially he was the only person in the vehicle, but it was reported later he lied to Eugene Police and was issued a DUII. He was later released.

Fotu Leaito found success on the field early this Spring and had a big performance in the Oregon Football Spring Game. He was expected to play a key role, potentially as a Starter this season under third year Defensive Coordinator Jim Leavitt.

On Friday night, several of Leaito’s teammates expressed their condolences on Social Media including Johnny Johnson III and Freshman Offensive Lineman Cody Shear.

He was still enrolled at the University of Oregon. He was majoring in Sociology.

Fotu Leiato was an experienced member of the Oregon Football team. His story is one of tragedy. He did not get the opportunity to redeem himself. I expect Oregon will find a way to honor the former Linebacker during the 2018 season.

Leiato was 21 years old.