WASHINGTON — NFL players of Samoan background are getting updates directly from the U.S. government on recovery efforts in the tsunami-stricken Samoas.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, along with Red Cross officials, gave a briefing Friday to current and former players, including Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Domata Peko, an American Samoa native.
The death toll from Tuesday’s earthquake and tsunami is 169 — including 31 from the U.S. territory of American Samoa.
Peko told reporters on a conference call after the briefing, players with connections to the island territory are very concerned.
According to the NFL, Peko is one of five current players born in American Samoa. The league says that around 30 players have ties to American Samoa.