Mariota named ESPY Best Male College Athlete

Quarterback Marcus Mariota passed on an award-winning appearance at the ESPY’s Wednesday night in Los Angeles to spend more time in Hawaii, where he has added Island Insurance to the endorsement haul.

Mariota, the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner and first-round pick of the Tennessee Titans, won the ESPY as the Best Male College Athlete, which was among the awards presented in the nationally-televised event.

"Thank you for the incredible honor. My time at the University of Oregon was a special experience and none of it would have been possible without teammates, coaches and staff members. I am humbled and grateful for the award. Appreciate all the support and look forward to the future with the Tennessee Titans," said Mariota.

While in Honolulu, Mariota is scheduled to shoot a commercial for Island Insurance, the state’s largest locally owned property and casualty insurance carrier. As part of their deal, which was announced Wednesday, Mariota will be featured in the company’s advertising, scheduled to begin airing in the fall, and on its website, www.islandinsurance.com.

"Marcus’ athletic talents are without question, but it is the quality of his character that makes him a special individual," said John Schapperle, President and CEO of Island Insurance. "His integrity, humility and pride in his island roots are values we hold deeply and have been cornerstones of our company culture for 75 years."

Terms of the deal were not announced.

The addition of Island Insurance gives Mariota at least six major endorsements before he plays his first game for the Titans, who selected him with the second overall pick of the April NFL Draft.

First Hawaiian Bank is his only other Hawaii-based endorsement deal.

Mariota is scheduled to return to the Tennessee Titans July 30 for the opening of preseason camp, pending resolution of his contract. Mariota remains the only unsigned player of the 32 drafted in the first round due to a hangup over contract language.

At issue is a provision that would deduct any money he is owed by the Titans from what he is paid by another team should Tennessee cut him before the expiration of a four-year deal.

Mariota won the ESPY over Wisconsin basketball player Frank Kaminsky, Boston College hockey player Jack Eichel, Ohio State wrestler Logan Stieber and Vanderbilt baseball player Dansby Swanson.