Despite being projected as a first round pick, Maualuga was picked in the second round by the
Cincinnati Bengals. Maualuga was projected by some, and expecting, to go 16th overall to the
San Diego Chargers, who instead opted to select hybrid linebacker/defensive end Larry English out of Northern Illinois. After being selected, Maualuga cried as he gave thanks to his late father and said he was thankful for his opportunity as “Nothing like this was ever expected for our family.” His selection came one year after the Bengals used a first-round pick to select Maualuga’s college teammate, linebacker
Keith Rivers.
On December 30, 2009, Maualuga was placed on injured reserve due to a broken ankle he suffered a week before. He finished his rookie season with 64 tackles, one sack, three forced fumbles and three pass deflections in 15 games started.
During
Rey Maualuga ‘s freshman year he wrote “RIP” on the eye black paint under his right eye and “DAD” under his left eye in honor of his dad who died two days before the BCS National Championship Game following the 2005 season. His dad died after battling brain cancer, and from at least his junior season, black eye paint under both eyes read “DAD” in silver. He has two younger brothers. Curiously, neither of his Samoan-American parents were tall.