Sitake one of eight finalists for Polynesian Football Hall of Fame

HONOLULU — BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake is one of eight finalists on the 2023 ballot for the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.

The finalists were selected from a field of more than 100 nominees by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which includes former NFL Player and Inaugural Inductee Jack Thompson (Chairman); former 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 and NFL Network writer and commentator Steve Wyche.

The eight finalists for the 2022 class are included below:

• Tony Banks (QB) Michigan State; NFL 10 years, Samoan ancestry
• Chris Kemoeatu (G) Utah; Pro NFL seven years, Tongan ancestry
• Rey Maualuga (LB) USC; Pro NFL nine years, Samoan ancestry
• Dr. Edison Miyawaki (Contributor) Established an NFL training camp for Hawai`i athletes aspiring to play professional football. Part owner of the Cincinnati Bengals.
• Harry Montague-Field (OL) Hawai`I and Oregon State, Pro NFL four years, first player of Polynesian Ancestry to play in the NFL. Hawaiian ancestry
• Kalani Sitake (Coach) BYU, seven years, Tongan ancestry
• Manti Te`o (LB) Notre Dame, Pro NFL eight years, Samoan ancestry
• Larry Warford (G) Kentucky; Pro NFL seven years, Samoan ancestry

The Selection Committee and all living Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Inductees will vote in the coming weeks on who will be inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023. The three inductees will be announced on Nov. 1, 2022.

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches, and contributors. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center and was established in 2013 by Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma’a Tanuvasa.