The Honolulu based Polynesian Football Hall of Fame has announced their nominees for their Class of 2018. This group consists of 15 former players and 3 contributors.
The nominees are as follows:
Players:
Tony Banks (Samoan Ancestry), Quarterback: Michigan State, St. Louis Rams, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, Houston Texans.
A three sport letterman in high school, Banks threw for 4,129 Yards at Michigan State and was the first Quarterback chosen in the 1996 Draft. As a pro, he was a backup for the Super Bowl XXXV winning Baltimore Ravens and would tally 15,315 Yards with 77 Touchdown Passes.
Herman “Buddy” Pi’ikei Clark (Hawaiian Ancestry), Offensive Lineman: Oregon State, Chicago Bears.
From Honolulu, Herman Clark played four seasons with the Bears in the 1950’s.
David Dixon (Maori Ancestry), Offensive Guard: Arizona State, Minnesota Vikings.
Born in New Zealand, Dixon was a member of the Vikings for eleven seasons. He started 134 Games.
Malcolm Floyd (Samoan Ancestry), Wide Receiver: Wyoming, San Diego Chargers.
A ten year veteran with the Chargers, Floyd would catch 321 passes for 5,550 Yards.
Chris Kemoeatu (Tongan Ancestry), Offensive Guard: Utah, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Playing seven seasons with the Steelers, Kemoeatu would win two Super Bowls.
Ma’ake Tu’amelie Kemoeatu (Tongan Ancestry), Defensive Tackle: Utah, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Washington Redskins.
The older of brother of Chris Kemoeatu, Ma’ake was a Super Bowl Champion with Baltimore.
Alapati “Al” Noga (Samoan Ancestry), Defensive Tackle: Hawai’i, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins, Indianapolis Colts.
Noga was a former Outland Trophy nominee and was a seven year NFL veteran. He recorded 34.5 Sacks in the NFL.
Falaniki “Niko” Noga, Linebacker (Samoan Ancestry), Linebacker: Hawai’i, Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions.
Noga played eight seasons in the NGL and had 7 Sacks.
Joe Fagaone Salave’a, (Samoan Ancestry), Defensive Lineman: Arizona, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins.
Salave’a played eight years in the NFL mostly as a backup.
Dan Saleaumua, (Samoan Ancestry), Defensive Tackle: Arizona State, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks.
Saleaumua had 33.5 Sacks and was a Pro Bowl Selection in 1995.
Mosiula Mea’alofa Lofa” Tatupu, (Samoan Ancestry), Linebacker: USC, Seattle Seahawks.
Tatupu was an All-American in 2004 and went to three Pro Bowls (2005-07).
Apusaloma “Pisa” Tinoisamoa, (Samoan Ancestry), Linebacker: Hawai’i, St. Louis Rams, Chicago Bears.
Tinoisamoa was First Team All-WAC in 2001 and had 486 Tackles as a pro.
Manu’ula “Manu” Asovalu Tuiasosopo (Samoan Ancestry), Defensive Lineman: UCLA, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers.
Tuiasosopo is a Super Bowl winner with San Francisco in Super Bowl XIX.
Marques Tavita Tuiasosopo (Samoan Ancestry), Quarterback: Washington, Oakland Raiders, New York Jets.
The son of Manu Tuiasosopo, Marques was the Rose Bowl MVP in 2001.
Kimo von Oelhoffen (Hawaiian Ancestry). Defensive Lineman: Boise State, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles.
The Defensive Lineman was a fourteen year NFL pro and is a Super Bowl Champion with the Steelers.
Contributors:
Bob Apisa (Samoan Ancestry), Fullback: Michigan State: Apisa was the first Samoan to be named an All-American.
Thomas Ka’auwai Ka’ulukukai (Hawaiian Ancestry): Former coach at
the University of Hawai’i.
Charlie Wedemeyer (Hawaiian Ancestry): Former High School Coach.
Five inductees (four players and one contributor) will be announced on October 10, 2017.
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