Announcing the Establishment of the Polynesian Football HOF

At a glance:

Board members include Jesse Sapolu, Ma’a Tanuvasa, Troy Polamalu, Vai Sikahema, Coach June Jones and Reno Mahe.
The Inaugural Enshrinement Ceremony will be held Thursday, January 23, 2014 in Honolulu prior to the NFL Pro Bowl.
The Selection Committee includes former head football Coaches Dick Tomey, LaVell Edwards, Ron McBride, ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, NFL legend Gil Brandt and Honolulu sportscaster Robert Kekaula.
There are nearly 60 active Polynesian NFL players and hundreds in the college ranks.

HONOLULU, HI (August 7, 2013) – Jesse Sapolu (Samoan ancestry), Ma’a Tanuvasa (Samoan), Vai

Sikahema (Tongan), Troy Polamalu (Samoan), Reno Mahe (Tongan) and June Jones announced

today the establishment of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, which will honor Polynesia’s greatest

football players, coaches and contributors.

Hundreds of Polynesian football players have excelled professionally and in college. Legends such as

Junior Seau (Samoan), Kevin Mawae (Hawaiian), Mark Tuinei (Samoan), Riki Ellison (Maori), Jack

Throwin' Samoan Thompson and Olin Kreutz (Hawaiian) have contributed to Polynesian Football lore.

Today, there are nearly 60 NFL players of Polynesian descent including perennial Pro Bowlers and

Super Bowl Champs Troy Polamalu and Haloti Ngata (Tongan). In the last Super Bowl (XLVII), five

players represented Polynesia and more and more are being selected atop the NFL Draft. Polynesian

football players have become part of the American football lexicon.

Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma’a Tanuvasa have personally made the Polynesian

Football journey. It is this experience that has inspired them to establish the Polynesian Football Hall

of Fame.

“There have been many Polynesian football players that have made a profound impact on the game

we all love,” said Co-Founder and four-time Super Bowl Champion Jesse Sapolu. “It is our

responsibility to honor these legends and help educate our young people about their significant

contribution to Polynesian history and football.”

The Inaugural Polynesian Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony will be held Thursday, January 23,

2014 prior to the NFL Pro Bowl. The Inaugural Class (Inductees) will be announced October 9, 2013.

Inductees will be selected by a prestigious committee including former head football Coaches Dick

Tomey, LaVell Edwards, Ron McBride, ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, NFL legend Gil Brandt and

Honolulu Sportscaster Robert Kekaula. Each has a special connection to Polynesian football.

“The Inaugural Enshrinement Ceremony will be unlike any other Hall of Fame induction,” said Co-

Founder and two-time Super Bowl Champion Ma’a Tanuvasa. “It will be an authentic Polynesian

experience - a celebration of our greatest football legends and Polynesian culture.”

To learn more, please visit… www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org

About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame will serve as a resource for Polynesian Football history, provide

college scholarships designated for student-athletes of Polynesian ancestry, educational programs

focusing on character and teamwork for Polynesian youth and support other initiatives positively

impacting Polynesian culture and heritage. A permanent home within an existing historical landmark

or building located in Hawai’i will be sought.

About Polynesia

The name Polynesia means "region of many islands.” It covers an area of over 800,000 square miles

in the Pacific Ocean, with New Zealand, Hawaii, and Easter Island at its points. Polynesians possess

a richness of culture - they are proud, competitive & spiritually aware. The top ten largest Polynesian

communities in the United States are located in Hawai’i, California, Nevada, Washington and Utah.

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Media Contact: Phil Hetu, C. 702.715.5355, [email protected]