POLYNESIAN FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES POLYNESIAN BOWL
For the first time ever the Polynesian Bowl has been established - A new high school football all-star game which will feature the world's elite players of Polynesian heritage and other ancestries.
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced yesterday that The Polynesian Bowl will be played Saturday, January 21, 2017, 6:00 pm at Aloha Stadium in O’ahu, Hawai’i as part of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend.
The team captains for each team are Marcus Mariota who is of Samoan descent and plays Quarter Back for the Tennessee Titans and Ronnie Stanley who is of Tongan descent and plays Offensive Tackle for the Baltimore Ravens. Both captains have been recipients of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award in the last 2 years.
Marcus & his father Toa share a hug after one of his games.
“Honoring my heritage is very important to me,” Mariota said in a release. “I look forward to working with the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame to make this the best high school all-star game in the country. This will give our Polynesian players opportunities and exposure that is much needed. Team Mariota is ready to go.”
Ronnie & his mother Juli Stanley who was born in Tonga
I’m very excited to be Team Captain for the inaugural Polynesian Bowl,” Stanley also said in a release. “It is a great opportunity for me to support my culture and our young talented Polynesian football players. I’m looking forward to Team Stanley going out there and getting the win. Ofa Atu!”
A total of 84 nationally ranked players will be selected to participate in the game. Nearly 30 have already committed to play, including the 12 of 13 Polynesians ranked in the ESPN300: QB Tua Tagovailoa, DE A.J. Epenesa , DT Marlon Tuipulotu, DT Jay Tufele, OT Chuck Filiaga, OTHenry Bainivalu, TE Josh Falo, OL Brett Neilon, SIsaiah Pola-Mao, S Chaz Ah You, FB Sione Heimuli-Lund and DELangi Tuifua.
Saint Louis Crusaders Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa
Nationally ranked players of other ancestries who will be participating include: WR Tyjon Lindsey; TE Hunter Bryant, ATH Conner Wedington and the grandson of Muhammad Ali, RB Biaggio Ali-Walsh.
Biaggio with his late grandfather Muhammad Ali
Each player will receive air fare to Hawai’i, lodging, meals, ground transportation, Nike apparel, a Riddell helmet and shoulder pads and will participate in Polynesian cultural and educational activities throughout game week.
“The Polynesian Bowl will be a great addition to the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week festivities,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. “It will be a meaningful experience and an opportunity for all participants to learn more about our Polynesian culture.”
Source: ESPN , Polynesian Football Hall of Fame & Hawaii News Now
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