Former Cougar Sikahema to be inducted into The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame

Former BYU Cougar Vai Sikahema will be inducted into The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame as part of the 2016 class. Five Inductees were selected from a list of 25 Finalists. In addition to Sikahema, the 2016 class includes Charles "Charlie" Teetai Ane, Jr. (Samoan ancestry), Rockne Crowningburg Freitas (Hawaiian ancestry), Troy Polamalu (Samoan ancestry), and Albert “Al” Lolotai (Samoan ancestry).

The Inductees were chosen by a selection committee composed of past head football coaches including former BYU coach LaVell Edwards as well as Dick Tomey (Chairman), Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, ESPN SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett, NFL player personnel expert Gil Brandt, past NFLPA president and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae and Hawai’i sportscaster Robert Kekaula. 

The Class of 2016 will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend, held January 29-30, 2016 in Oahu, Hawai’i.

Sikahema played four years at BYU between 1980-85. He set numerous BYU punt return records and still holds the NCAA record for most punt returns in a career with 153 for 1,312 yards. Sikahema was drafted in the 10th round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, becoming the first Tongan to ever play in the NFL. He played eight seasons in the NFL for the Cardinals, Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles. Sikahema was named to the Pro Bowl twice in 1986 and 1987. He was inducted into the BYU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002.

2016 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class

CHARLES TEETAI ANE, JR. (Player) Offensive Line … University of Southern California … All-Coast Selection … All-American Selection … Detroit Lions (1953-1959) … Six seasons … Selected by Lions in 4^th Round, 49^th player overall (1953 Draft) … Two Pro Bowl Selections … Three-time All-Pro (1956, 1957, 1958) … Led the Lions to three division titles and two world championships (1953, 1957) … Selected to All-Time Detroit Lions Team … Hawai’i Sports Hall of Fame …  Born January 25, 1931 in Honolulu, HI … Died May 9, 2007.

ROCKNE CROWNINGBURG FREITAS (Player) Offensive Line … Oregon State University … Selected to play in the Hula Bowl, Coaches All-America Bowl and the College All-Star Game … Detroit Lions (1968-1977) … Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1978) … 11 seasons … Selected by the Steelers in 3^rd round, 73^rd player overall (1967 NFL Draft) … One Pro Bowl Selection … Two-time All-Pro (1970, 1972) … Oregon State University Sports Hall of Fame … Hawai’i Sports Hall of Fame …  Born September 7, 1945 in Kailua, HI.

TROY POLAMALU (Player) Defensive Back … University of Southern California … Consensus First Team All-American (2002) … Two-Time All-Pac-10 Selection (2001, 2002) … Pittsburgh Steelers (2003-2014) … 12 seasons … Selected by the Steelers in 1^st round,  16^th player overall (2003 NFL Draft) … Two-time Super Bowl Champion (2006, 2009) … Eight Pro Bowl Selections … Five-time All-Pro Selection (2004, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011) … AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2010) … NFL 2000s All-Decade Team … Named to Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team … Born April 19, 1981 in Garden Grove, CA.

VAI SIKAHEMA (Player)  Running Back/Kick Returner … Brigham Young University … National Championship (1984) … Arizona Cardinals (1986-1990), Green Bay Packers (1991), Philadelphia Eagles (1992-1993) … 8 seasons … Selected by the Cardinals in 10^th round,  254^th player overall (1986 NFL Draft) … Two Pro Bowl Selections … First Tongan to play in the National Football League … Born August 29, 1962 in NukuÊ»alofa, Tonga.

ALBERT LOLOTAI (Contributor) Offensive Line … Weber Junior College … Washington Redskins (1945), Los Angeles Dons (1946-1949) … 5 seasons … Became a pioneer for future Polynesian Football players by being the first Polynesian to play in the NFL … Born June 22, 1920 in Laie, HI … Died September 30, 1990.

For more information visit www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org