HONOLULU — Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota has been voted the 2016 Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year after leading the Titans to their first winning record since 2011 in his second season.
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced the award Thursday.
“What an incredible gift,” Mariota said in a video recorded at the Titans’ headquarters, where he is recovering from surgery to repair a broken right fibula. “I am truly, truly blessed. Thank you to the entire Polynesian Hall of Fame staff and selection committee. I’m truly honored by this prestigious award and look forward to representing it with high regard and a high standard.”
Arizona guard Mike Iupati won the inaugural award in 2015 honoring the top player of Polynesian ancestry.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Mariota was born in Honolulu and is of Samoan descent. Mariota became the first player of Polynesian ancestry to win the Heisman Trophy, at Oregon in 2014 , and also became the Hall of Fame’s inaugural college football player of the year.
In 2016, Mariota had a 95.6 passer rating that ranked third in franchise history. He was 276 of 451 for 3,426 yards with 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also ran for 349 yards and two touchdowns.
Mariota also was chosen an alternate to the Pro Bowl. He broke his right leg Dec. 24 in a loss to Jacksonville and missed the final game of the season.
“He is a tremendous role model and a source of great pride for Polynesians everywhere,” said Jesse Sapolu, chairman of the Hall of Fame’s board of directors.
Other finalists were Iupati, Carolina defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, Cleveland defensive tackle Danny Shelton, and Detroit offensive lineman Larry Warford.