View Now
DAYS    HRS   MIN   SEC

Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Watch List Announced

 At a glance:

  • The Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Award, presented by Hawaiian Airlines, is awarded to the most outstanding professional football player of Polynesian ancestry.
  • The 2015 Watch List is composed of 24 players from 17 teams.
  • The winner will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on January 29 & 30, 2016 in Oahu, Hawai’i.

Honolulu, HI (September 15, 2015) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced today the watch list for the inaugural Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Award, presented by Hawaiian Airlines. The award will recognize the most outstanding professional football player of Polynesian Ancestry.

Five finalists will be unveiled on December 8 and the winner will be announced on January 6, 2016.  The formal presentation of the award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on January 29 & 30, 2016 in Oahu, Hawai'i.

“The Polynesian Pro Player of the Year Award was established to help showcase the immense talent of our current Polynesian athletes at the highest level of football,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder.

The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which is composed of former Coaches Dick Tomey (Chairman), LaVell EdwardsRon McBride, and Dick Vermeil, past NFLPA President and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae, ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, NFL player personnel legend Gil Brandt and Honolulu Sportscaster Robert Kekaula.

“The growth and success of professional football players of Polynesian ancestry has been extraordinary,” said Dick Tomey, Selection Committee Chairman. “This award will shine a positive light on the wonderful accomplishments of Polynesians in professional football.”

                                    

POLYNESIAN PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD WATCH LIST 

Player

Team

Position

Ancestry

Jordan Cameron

Miami Dolphins

TE

Samoan

Malcom Floyd

San Diego Chargers

WR

Samoan

Jarryd Hayne

San Francisco 49ers

RB/KR

Fijian

Mike Iupati

Arizona Cardinals

OL

Samoan

Hau'oli Kikaha

New Orleans Saints

LB

Hawaiian

Shawn Lauvao

Washington Redskins

OL

Samoan

Star Lotulelei

Carolina Panthers

DT

Tongan

Marcus Mariota

Tennessee Titans

QB

Samoan

Rey Maualuga

Cincinnati Bengals

LB

Samoan

Josh Mauga

Kansas City Chiefs

LB

Samoan

Roy Miller

Jacksonville Jaguars

DT

Samoan

Koa Misi

Miami Dolphins

LB

Tongan

Haloti Ngata

Detroit Lions

DT

Tongan

Chad Owens

Toronto Argonauts (CFL)

SB/KR

Hawaiian

Stephen Paea

Washington Redskins

DE

Tongan

Domata Peko

Cincinnati Bengals

DT

Samoan

Jeremiah Poutasi

Tennessee Titans

OL

Tongan/Samoan

Brian Schwenke

Tennessee Titans

OL

Hawaiian

Danny Shelton

Cleveland Browns

DL

Samoan

Sealver Siliga

New England Patriots

DT

Samoan

Paul Soliai

Atlanta Falcons

DT

Samoan

Manti Te`o

San Diego Chargers

LB

Samoan

Uani` Unga

New York Giants

LB

Tongan

Larry Warford

Detroit Lions

OL

Samoan

 

About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches and contributors. As a 501(C)(3) organization, the Hall of Fame preserves and promotes Polynesian football history and awards scholarships for Polynesian student-athletes.