—www.thesundevils.com--

Sixteen-year NFL veteran Kevin Mawae will join the Arizona State football program as an offensive analyst as announced today by Arizona State Head Football Coach"Kevin Mawae is one of the most respected voices in football," says Edwards. "He will add a tremendous amount of credibility and knowledge to our coaching staff. I am thrilled that I get the opportunity to reunite with one of my favorite players to coach."Mawae brings a vast amount of experience to Tempe, as the former NFL center has spent the past 20 years involved in the game. He earned First Team All-Pro honors six times while being named to the Pro Bowl eight times. He is a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, named to the First Team All-Decade as a center. His 238 career starts places him fifth among offensive lineman in NFL history in that category. Throughout his career, Mawae was known as an elite run blocker as an interior offensive lineman. He blocked for some of the most productive running backs in league history, as evidenced by the fact that he paved the way for a 1,000-yard rusher in 13 of his 16 pro seasons.The 1993 graduate of LSU was selected in the second round (36overall pick) by the Seattle Seahawks. While at LSU, Mawae earned AP First Team All-SEC honors in 1991 while receiving AP Second Team All-SEC recognition his final two seasons in Baton Rouge ('92 & '93).During his first two professional seasons, Mawae started 27 games at right guard, including all 16 games in only his second NFL season. He exclusively switched to center in his third season, which proved to be the right decision. Mawae started all 16 games over the next nine seasons (177 consecutive starts) at one of the most physically demanding positions in the sport."I have a lot of respect for Coach Edwards, whom I played for for five years." says Mawae. "His character and integrity are second to none. I knew that when my playing career was finished and I wanted to enter the coaching profession that he was the type of person that I wanted to work for. My daughter, Abigail, has signed a letter of intent to swim for Coachand the Sun Devil swimming program. Both she and I fell in love with the University then."After four seasons with the Seahawks, Mawae decided to sign with the New York Jets in free agency. Over the next eight seasons, he would become one of the faces of the New York Jets franchise. The impact of his career was felt by many in the organization, culminating in a Ring of Honor induction in 2017. Immediately after joining the Jets, Mawae helped them win the AFC East in his first season. Eventually, the team would earn a berth in the 1998 AFC Championship Game, which represented the Jets first Conference Championship Game appearance since 1982 (17 years).While in New York, Mawae played for Edwards from 2001-05. The team won at least nine games in three seasons while Edwards and Mawae were together, including an AFC East title and playoff victory during the 2002 season. Mawae was selected to the Pro Bowl six times and All-Pro first team twice in eight seasons as a member of the Jets.A triceps injury cut his final season as a Jet (2005) short and also ended his consecutive starts streak at an incredible 177. After vigorously rehabbing his injury, Mawae would sign with the Tennessee Titans as an unrestricted free agent. He would show no signs of decline after his injury, as his iron man traits would continue to be on full display in Tennessee. Mawae would go on to start 61 of a possible 64 games as a member of the Titans. During the 2008 season, Mawae was part of the best offensive line in franchise history. He helped set a franchise benchmark in 2008, as the Titans allowed just 12 sacks, which was tied for the fewest in the NFL. That season included a stretch in which the Titans did not allow a sack in five consecutive games.Mawae continued to give back to the game by fighting for other NFL players towards the latter part of and after his career. He was named the 14NFLPA President on March 19, 2008, taking over from Troy Vincent. Mawae served as the NFLPA President for four seasons, including guiding and organizing the players through the 2011 NFL lockout. Mawae continues to give back to the community through his post-career endeavors. He has financially supported the Children's Cup International Relief missions, whose mission is to equip local churches to transform communities through holistic child development. In addition, he created the "First and Goal Challenge," which is a unique program to benefit the hospital's Child Life Program and Pediatric Services.