Cardinals’ Iupati wins Polynesian player of the year award

Mike Iupati was chosen as the inaugural winner of the Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Award, presented by Hawaiian Airlines.

The 6-foot-5, 330-pound offensive lineman from American Samoa helped the Arizona Cardinals rank first in total offense (408.3 yards per game) on their way to a 13-3 regular-season record.

The formal presentation of the award will be made at the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner on Jan. 29. The hall’s inductees for 2016 will be honored at the same event.

Other Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Award finalists included quarterback Marcus Mariota (Tennessee Titans), linebacker Rey Maualuga (Cincinnati Bengals), linebacker Koa Misi (Miami Dolphins) and linebacker Manti Te’o (San Diego Chargers).