Late into his senior year, Amano had no scholarship offers and planned to walk-on to either the University of New Mexico or San Diego State University. But when SE Missouri State called one of his high school coaches about players on his team, he sold the recruiters on Amano. The recruiters acquired a tape of Amano and immediately offered him a scholarship.
Projected to go undrafted by Sports Illustrated, who labeled him as "a solid practice-squad prospect,"[2] Amano was ranked as the No. 20 center available in the 2004 NFL draft.[3] He was eventually selected in the seventh round, 239th overall, by the Titans.[4] He was the seventh of nine centers selected in this draft, and also the first offensive lineman selected from Southeast Missouri State since Dan Peiffer in 1973.[5]
For his first four NFL seasons, Amano served primarily as a reserve at both center and guard. In 2008, he replaced left guard Jacob Bell in the starting lineup, and went on to start 31 games at that position. In 2009, Amano was a member of an offensive line that blocked for the NFL's second-best rushing attack (162.0 yards per game) allowed just 16 sacks, the second fewest in the NFL.
On February 17, 2010, he signed a five-year, $26.25 million contract with $10.5 million guaranteed.[6] Amano was moved to center to replace a retiring Kevin Mawae.[7]
Amano was released by the Titans in 2013 after missing the entire 2012 season due to a torn triceps injury.[8]
Post-career
After retiring from football, Eugene Amano and his brother Fred Amano purchased four existing L&L Hawaiian Barbecue franchises in their home town of San Diego[9] and have since opened more franchises for the restaurant chain including one in Cool Springs, Tennessee, near Nashville.[10]
