POLYNESIAN FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME UNVEILS CLASS OF 2020
October 23, 2019 (Honolulu, HI) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame unveiled its Class of 2020 today. Four Inductees were selected from a list of 10 Finalists.
The Class of 2020 is David Dixon of Māori Ancestry, Frank Manumaluega of Samoan Ancestry, Haloti Ngata of Tongan Ancestry and Dominic Raiola of Hawaiian Ancestry.
“On behalf of our Board of Directors, we congratulate the Class of 2020,” said Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman, Co-Founder and Inductee. “Their accomplishments on and off the field make each of them truly worthy of this recognition.”
The Inductees 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. In addition to the Selection Committee, all living Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Inductees cast a vote to select the Class of 2020.
The Class of 2020 will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend and during the Polynesian Bowl on January 18 & 19, 2019. The Polynesian High School, College and Professional Players of Year honorees will be announced later this year.
DAVID TUKATAHI DIXON
MāoriAncestry… Offensive Lineman … Arizona State University … Minnesota Vikings … 13 years professionally … Drafted in the 4th Round (44th pick) in the 1992 NFL Draft … Started 134 of the 152 games he played in the NFL … Born January 5, 1969 in New Zealand.
FRANK MANUMALEUGA
Samoan Ancestry … Linebacker … UCLA … San Jose State … Kansas City Chiefs … 3 years professionally … Drafted in the 4th Round (85th pick) in the 1979 NFL Draft … Two-time All-American selection … Holds the San Jose State single-game record for most tackles in a game (27) … Inducted in San Jose State Sports Hall of Fame … Born May 9, 1956 in Laie, HI.
HALOTI NGATA
Tongan Ancestry … Defensive Tackle … University of Oregon … Baltimore Ravens … Detroit Lions … Philadelphia Eagles … 13 years professionally … Drafted in the 1st Round (12th pick) in the 2006 NFL Draft … Two-time All-Pac 10 selection … Pac 10 Defensive Player of the Year … Consensus All-American … Morris Trophy winner … Super Bowl champion (XLVII) … Five-time Pro Bowl selection … Five-time All-Pro selection … Born January 21, 1984 in Inglewood, CA.
DOMINIC RAIOLA
Hawaiian Ancestry … Offensive Lineman … University of Nebraska … Detroit Lions … 14 years professionally … Drafted in the 2nd Round (50th pick) in the 2001 NFL Draft … Two-time All Big 12 Selection … Consensus All-American … Rimington Trophy winner … Received Chuck Hughes Award from Lions … Born December 30, 1978 in Honolulu, HI.
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.