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Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Award Finalists Announced

At a glance:

  • Five Finalists have been selected from a Watch List comprised of 25 players.
  • The Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year will be announced on January 5, 2016.
  • The Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on January 29 & 30, 2016 on Oahu, Hawai’i.

Honolulu, HI (December 29, 2015) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced today five Finalists for the inaugural Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Award, presented by Hawaiian Airlines.  The Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Award will recognize the most outstanding professional football player of Polynesian Ancestry. 

The five Finalists include OL Mike Iupati (Arizona Cardinals), QB Marcus Mariota (Tennessee Titans), LB Rey Maualuga (Cincinnati Bengals), LB Koa Misi (Miami Dolphins) and LB Manti Te`o (San Diego Chargers). 

“On behalf of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Board of Directors, we congratulate the inaugural Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Finalists,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. “Each of the Finalists has had an outstanding season and showcase the immense talent of Polynesian athletes at the highest level of football.”

The Finalists were chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee members, composed of past head football coaches Dick Tomey (Chairman), LaVell Edwards, Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, ESPN SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett, NFL player personnel expert Gil Brandt, past NFLPA president and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae and Hawai’i sportscaster Robert Kekaula.

The winner of the 2015 Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on January 5. The formal presentation of the Award will be held at the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on January 29, 2016.

2015 Finalists

MIKE IUPATI (Arizona Cardinals)
Mike Iupati

Offensive Lineman … 6th Season … Samoan Ancestry … Started 12 games on the season … Cardinals have gained 1,890 rushing yards (6th in NFL) and 16 rushing touchdowns (4th in NFL) on the year … Cardinals rank 1st in total offense (420.1 yards) and scoring (32.2 points) per game … Selected to the 2016 Pro Bowl … Born May 12, 1987 in American Samoa.

 

MARCUS MARIOTA (Tennessee Titans)
Marcus Mariota

Quarterback … 1st Season … Samoan Ancestry … Started 12 games on the season … Completed 62.2% of pass attempts for 2,818 yards with 19 passing touchdowns … 91.5 passer rating … Rushed for 252 yards with two rushing touchdowns … 2nd rookie to throw at least three touchdown passes in four games … Born October 30, 1993 in Honolulu, Hawai`i.

 

REY MAUALUGA (Cincinnati Bengals)
Rey Maualuga

Linebacker … 7th Season … Samoan Ancestry … Started 13 games on the season … Ranks 2nd on team with 69 tackles on the year (40 solo) … one fumble recovered … two passes broken up … Bengals rank 3rd in total defense (337.3 yards) and 1st in points allowed (17.4) per game … Born January 20, 1987 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

 

KOA MISI (Miami Dolphins)
Koa Misi

Linebacker … 6th Season … Tongan Ancestry … Started 13 games on the season … 78 tackles on the year (59 solo) … one pass broken up … Born January 17, 1987 in Santa Rosa, California.

 

MANTI TE`O (San Diego Chargers)
Manti Teo

Linebacker … 3rd Season … Samoan Ancestry … Started 11 games on the season … 74 tackles on the year (56 solo) … .5 sack … one interception … two passes broken up … Born January 26, 1991 in Laie, HI.