Tyson Alualu is a stylish guy

Rick Wilson/The Times-Union

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When you first meet Tyson Alualu, the freshly drafted defensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars, it can be a bit intimidating. He's 6 feet 3, 304 pounds and can knock down the strongest men in the NFL.

But when the helmet's away, the Hawaiian native is a mild-mannered family man.

The 23-year-old has been married five years to his wife, Desire, and has two children, with another on the way. As part of the Jaguars, Alualu also gets to play with long-time friend and Jaguars guard Vince Manuwai. The only thing missing? His eyebrows, which were shaved off as part of the rookie welcoming process.

Skirt! talked to Alualu in between practices at Everbank Field, where he modeled a traditional ie lava lava he picked up in his Hawaiian hometown.

Have you and your family gone anywhere in Jacksonville yet?

Not really. To the malls and stuff like that, but not really.

So what's harder, raising two kids or football?

I would have to say football. I enjoy football, but you have to put a lot of work into it, especially here in the NFL.

You have great hair. How do you maintain it?

I mean, I grew up with seven sisters.

What's that like?

It's crazy. You have to have patience for that. We had to share a bathroom.

Do you miss your eyebrows?

Yep.

There's a video circulating on YouTube with you singing "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys, right?

Huh? (smiles). Yeah, I was singing with [my wife].

Are you glad you were drafted by a city with an ocean?

That's always a plus. I played for California, and in the Bay Area there's no beaches.

So it's a plus, coming out here. It was all part of God's plan, coming here.

When do you wear the ie lava lava?

Around the house ...

What's your favorite thing about wearing one?

It's comfortable ... easy to put on. You just wrap it around.

Do you ever wear it in public?

I wouldn't mind doing it, like to the store. I don't know about going to a restaurant or anything like that.

You get hit a lot in football. Is there anything you're afraid of?

Not really.

Have you always had a dream of playing in the NFL?

Oh yeah. I just loved the sport and had a dream of one day playing at this level.

Are you happy to be playing with Vince Manuwai?

I've just always looked up to him. He went to school with my sisters, but he's always been that guy to look up to, because he went to the high school in my area.

There's word you plan to build a church in your hometown. How's that going?

That's something that's in our plans. ... We're taking one day at a time and I'm just trying to focus on my job here.

tracy.jones@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4272