POLYNESIAN FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2020 FINALISTS

HONOLULU, HI (October 10, 2019) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced today the 10 Finalists that will be on the ballot for induction into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

The Finalists were selected from a field of over 100 nominees by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee which includes former NFL Player and Inaugural Inductee Jack Thompson (Chairman), Coaches Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, past NFL player and Inaugural Inductee Olin Kreutz, past NFLPA President and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae, former NFL Player and Class of 2015 Inductee Ray Schoenke, ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, NFL Network writer and commentator Steve Wyche, and Honolulu Sportscaster Robert Kekaula.

“Special thanks to our outstanding Selection Committee, who has once again put forward an outstanding group of Finalists for the Class of 2020,” said Jack Thompson, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee Chairman. “This is quite a challenge because there are so many great Polynesian football players, coaches and contributors.”

“On behalf of our Board of Directors, we congratulate the Class of 2020 Finalists,” said Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman, Co-Founder and Inductee. “Each of the finalists has made a significant impact on our community and the game of football.”

The Selection Committee and all living Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Inductees will vote in the coming weeks to select the individuals who will be inducted as the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

Four inductees will be announced on October 23, 2019. They will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend and during the Polynesian Bowl on January 17 & 18, 2020.

CLASS OF 2020 FINALISTS

Tony Banks (QB) Michigan State; Pro: NFL (STL, BAL, DAL, WAS, HOU) 11 years, Samoan ancestry
David Dixon (G) Arizona State; Pro: (MIN) 13 years, Maori ancestry
Malcom Floyd (WR) Wyoming; Pro (SAN) 10 years, Samoan ancestry
Chris Kemoeatu (G) Utah; Pro (PIT) 7 years, Tongan ancestry
Frank Manumaleuga (LB) San Jose State; Pro (KC) 3 years, Samoan ancestry
Haloti Ngata (DT) Oregon; Pro (BAL, DET, PHI) 13 years, Tongan ancestry
Alapati “Al” Noga (DL) Hawai’i; Pro: NFL (MIN, WAS, IND) 7 years, Samoan ancestry
Falaniko “Niko” Noga (LB) Hawai’i; Pro: NFL (AZ, DET) 8 years, Samoan ancestry
Dominic Raiola (C) Nebraska; Pro: NFL (DET) 14 years, Hawaiian ancestry
Charlie Wedemeyer; Former Head Football Coach, Los Gatos High School (CA), Hawaiian ancestry

About the Polynesian Bowl: The Polynesian Bowl is held annually during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week and is televised LIVE on CBS Sports Network. Major sponsors include adidas, BodyArmor, CrossCountry Mortgage, Friends of Hawai’i Charities, Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaii Building & Construction Trades Council, Hawai’i News Now, Hawai’i Tourism Authority, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel and Riddell.

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 (O`ahu) 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. www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org.