Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 2, 1 February 2016 — Iupati Polynesian football player of the year [ARTICLE]

Iupati Polynesian football player of the year

Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Mike Iupati has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Award presented by Hawaiian Airlines. "As a proud Polynesian and Samoan, I am honored to be selected as the inaugural Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year," said Iupati in a statement. "I would like to congratulate the other finalists, Marcus Mariota, Rey Maualuga, Koa Misi and Manti Te'o, as they represent the best of our culture and the National Football League." Iupati played collegiately at the University of Idaho and is in his sixth season in the NFL. The award was voted on by a selection committee comprised of former football coaches Dick Tomey, LaVell Edwards, Ron McBride and Dick Cermeil; ESPN SportsCenter Anchor Neil Everett, NFL player personnel expert Gil Brandt, past NFLPA president Kevin Mawae and Hawai'i sportscaster Robert Kekaula.