Salave'a was signed by the Redskins during the 2004 offseason to provide depth to their defensive line. He is a high energy defensive end that has tremendous quickness off point of attack. Salave'a played the first four seasons of his career with Tennessee and last season with San Diego. He has appeared in 53 games with 35 tackles and five sacks for his career. In 2003 with the Chargers, he started one game and played in nine with five tackles. He had his best season as a pro in 2000 under former Titans defensive coordinator and current Redskins Assistant Head Coach for defense Gregg Williams when he played in 15 games and had 16 tackles and four sacks.
NFL Acquisition: Salave'a entered the league as a fourth-round selection (107th overall) by Tennessee in the 1998 NFL Draft.

How Acquired:
Salave'a signed with the Redskins as an unrestricted free agent on March 26, 2004.

2003:
Salave'a started one game and appeared in nine, contributing five tackles (two solo) and one pass defense. He was a late signee and was released by the team after the season.

2002:
Salave'a played with the Titans during training camp and preseason but was released prior to the season and spent the year out of football.

2001:
Salave'a played in 11 games at defensive tackle and posted 18 tackles, six quarterback pressures, two tackles for loss and one pass defensed.

He was named inactive for five games with right shoulder and left ankle injuries.

He recorded three tackles, including one for loss, and one pressure in loss against Miami (9/9) and recorded one tackle in loss at Jacksonville (9/23).

Salave'a tallied season-high four tackles and three quarterback pressures in loss at Baltimore (10/7) then tied season high with four tackles, including one for loss, in 31-28 overtime win against Tampa Bay (10/14).

2000:
Salave'a played in 15 games, starting one at defensive tackle and set career-highs in tackles (43), tackles for loss (4), sacks (4), quarterback pressures (13) and passes defensed (2).

He posted three tackles in Titans' 17-4 overtime win against Kansas City (9/10) and posted two tackles and career-high two sacks at Pittsburgh (9/24).

He started first game of career in place of injured Jason Fisk and posted four tackles in 27-13 win against Jacksonville on Monday Night Football (10/16).

Salave'a tied career-high with five tackles performance in 24-10 win against Cleveland (11-19).

1999:
Played in 10 games but was inactive for six games and recorded 10 tackles and seven quarterback pressures.

1998:
Salave'a played in 13 games and tallied 14 tackles, including one sack and three tackles for loss. He registered first NFL career tackle versus Jacksonville (9/27) with season-high four stops, including two for loss.

He recorded first NFL career sack versus Cincinnati (10/18), trapping Jeff Blake for 2-yeard loss and also collected three tackles in season finale versus Minnesota (12/26).


College/Personal:

• Salave'a was a first team All-Pacific-10 Conference selection and team captain as senior at Arizona. He appeared in all 44 college games for "Desert Swarm."
  
  
• He totaled 157 tackles, including 21.5 sacks and six forced fumble for college career. As a senior, he led the Wildcats with 11.5 sacks (totaling 73 yards) and tackles for loss.
  
  
• He was named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week as senior after monster effort at Ohio State when he had 11 tackles, three sacks for 25 yards and four tackles for loss totaling 30 yards.
  
  
• He was the only player ever to play in the Hula Bowl twice (19997 & '98 games) and he graduated with degree in sociology.
  
  
• Salave'a is a native of American Samoa but came to United States during his freshman year of high school (1989).
  
  
• He was a Super Prep All-Far West and Long Beach Press-Telegram "Best of the West" selection for Oceanside (CA) High Pirates. He had 13 sacks, five forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries his senior year.
  
  
• He started the Joe Salave'a Foundation in 2001 to benefit youth in American Samoa, the foundation conducts an annual free football clinic in Samoa for over 700 children.
  
  
• He is married to Josephine A. Puletasi.
  They have one daughter, Katalina Elizabeth.