NEW ORLEANS — It was a typical interview at a typical news conference.

And then Hawai'i football player Jacob Patek, moving as deliberately as his Texas drawl, stood.

He was wearing a lavalava.

"I love this," Patek said of the sarong-like Samoan attire each UH football senior and defensive lineman received from the parents of defensive end Amani Purcell.

Purcell was continuing a practice started by his brother, former UH defensive lineman Melila Purcell III. Patek's lavalava was black, and inscribed with "WAC champs."

Patek and defensive tackle Michael Lafaele, who also spoke at the news conference, agreed to both wear their lavalava over shorts.

"That's what I'm going to do for the rest of my life: wear my lavalava around," Patek said.

Even in his hometown of Victoria, Texas?

"If people ask, 'What's wrong with you?' " Patek said, "I'm going to say, 'Hey, I'm from Hawai'i.' "

Patek, whose girlfriend is a Castle High School graduate, has embraced Polynesian culture. Patek, quarterback Colt Brennan and slotbacks Ryan Grice-Mullins and Davone Bess are among the Mainland-raised Warriors who took Samoan classes as part of their second-language requirements.

Brennan often calls offensive plays in Samoan.

"I love it out there (in Hawai'i)," Patek said. "I love the family atmosphere. They took me in and made me one of them. Now I'm representing Hawai'i."

Purcell said he is proud to see teammates, including Houston-raised cornerback Gerard Lewis, wear a lavalava. Lafaele wore his lavalava during a shopping trip in downtown New Orleans Thursday.

But it is Patek who has captivated teammates as the least likely to wear a lavalava.

"It shows how much respect and love he has, not only for our culture, but for the team," said Purcell, who was born and raised in American Samoa. "He's trying to blend in, and that's good."

Defensive coordinator Greg McMackin, who wore slippers during the news conference, said he felt left out.

"I've got one for coach Mac," Purcell said.

McMackin is not concerned about critics. When he was the defensive coordinator at Texas Tech, he wore slippers during every Friday practice, a tradition started when he coached at UH in 1999. The Warriors are 21-4 when McMackin wears slippers during the practice the day before a game.

"Those cowboys (in Texas) didn't understand why I wasn't wearing boots," McMackin said, smiling.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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