Mariota is Polynesian pro player of year

Marcus Mariota was named as the Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year today, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced.

The award, which was presented by Hawaiian Airlines, recognizes the most outstanding professional football player of Polynesian ancestry. Arizona Cardinals guard Mike Iupati was chosen as the inaugural recipient in 2015.

Mariota, a former Saint Louis and Oregon star quarterback, helped the Tennessee Titans to a 9-7 record this year. He completed 276 of 451 passes for 3,426 yards and 26 touchdowns before breaking his right fibula in the team’s second-to-last game against Jacksonville.

The formal presentation of the Polynesian award will occur at the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame dinner Jan. 20.