Metro: How did Eagles’ draft pick Halapoulivaati Vaitai get unique, unusual name?
The newest Eagles offensive lineman has 14 letters in his first name. But you can call him “Big V.” That’s what everyone else does — even his mom.
“She calls me ‘V’, but when I’m in trouble, she uses the whole name,” Halapoulivaati Vaitai told reporters late Saturday night after being selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft, No. 164 overall.
Prounounced “hal-lah-poo-lee-VAH-tee VIE-tie,” the name clearly stems from Vaitai’s proud Tongan tradition. But oddly, his two brothers are named simply Kevin and William. …