Former Idaho standout Mike Iupati was named the inaugural recipient of the Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year presented by Hawaiian Airlines.
The Arizona Cardinals left guard earned the distinction after he won the balloting over National Football League stars Marcus Mariota of the Tennessee Titans and Manti Te’o of the San Diego Chargers.
“As a proud Polynesian and Samoan, I am honored to be selected as the inaugural Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year,” Iupati said in a statement to reporters. “I would like to congratulate the other finalists…they represent the very best of our culture and the National Football League.