Announcing the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025

December 4, 2024 (Honolulu, HI) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame unveiled its Class of 2025 today. Three Inductees were selected from a list of nine Finalists.

The Class of 2025 is Chris Kemoeatu of Tongan Ancestry, Jim Nicholson of Samoan Ancestry, and Kalani Sitake of Tongan Ancestry.

 “On behalf of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, it is our great honor to recognize and celebrate the Class of 2025,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman, Co-Founder, and Inductee. “These men embody the spirit of Polynesia and have left an enduring mark on the game of football. We look forward to celebrating their incredible achievements this January in Hawai’i!”

 The Class of 2025 will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on January 17 to 19, 2025. The events will include the Polynesian Bowl, the Enshrinement Ceremony, and the Celebration Dinner.

The Inductees were selected from a field of over 100 nominees and eight Finalists by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee which includes former NFL Player and Inaugural Inductee Jack Thompson (Chairman), Coaches Dick Vermeil and Ron McBride, former NFL All-Pro player and Inaugural Inductee Olin Kreutz, past NFLPA President, NFL All-Pro player and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae, former NFL Player and Class of 2015 Inductee Ray Schoenke, former ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, and NFL Network Chief National Reporter Steve Wyche. In addition to the Selection Committee, all living Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Inductees cast a vote.

CLASS OF 2025

CHRIS KEMOEATU (OL)

Utah; Pro (PIT) 7 years professionally, Tongan ancestry

• 2X Super Bowl Champion (XL, XLIII)
• First Team All-American (2004)
• 3X All-Mountain West Conference

JIM NICHOLSON (OL)

Michigan State University; Pro (KC, SF) 8 years professionally, Samoan ancestry

• Second Team All-Big Ten (1972)
• Played in 72 NFL games

KALANI SITAKE

Head Coach; Brigham Young University, Tongan ancestry 

• Was the first FBS head football coach of Tongan ancestry
• Overall record 71–43 with a 3-2 Bowl Record
• Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year finalist, George Munger Coach of the Year semifinalist and Bear Bryant Award candidate after leading BYU to 11-1 record and No. 11 final ranking in 2020, the program's highest final ranking 1996

About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame:

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches, and contributors. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center and was established in 2013 by Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma’a Tanuvasa. Other board members include Troy Polamalu, Vai Sikahema, June Jones and Reno Mahe. There are currently 47 inductees. The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame has provided over $300,000 in college scholarships to date. For more information, go to PolynesianFootballHOF.org.

About the Polynesian Bowl:

The Polynesian Bowl is a premier all-star game played annually in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi that features 100 of the nation’s top-ranked high school juniors and seniors of Polynesian and non-Polynesian ancestry alike – many of whom have gone on to play in the NFL. Past MVPs include AJ Epenesa, Puka Nacua, Travis Hunter, and Nico Iamaleava. The game is broadcast live and in primetime on NFL Network. For more information, visit PolynesianBowl.com.