Esera was raised in Hawaii but currently lives in Minneapolis. In 1991, he was drafted into the NFL where he played defensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons. In 1998, Esera played in the NFC Championship game for the Falcons and then the Super Bowl XXXIII against the Denver Broncos. During his time in the NFL, he was known as "Mr. Aloha" because he sang in the locker rooms and once sang the national anthem before a game. Esera is gay and, at 32 years old, left the NFL to come out to his family. Now, being able to pursue a singing career at 48, he has the opportunity to finally be true to himself.