The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame unveiled its Class of 2025 on Wednesday: Chris Kemoeatu, Jim Nicholson and Kalani Sitake.
Kemoeatu, of Tongan ancestry, was a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers during his seven-year NFL career and was a first-team All-American at the University of Utah.
Nicholson, of Samoan ancestry, played eight seasons in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers following a collegiate career at Michigan State.
Sitake, of Tongan ancestry, is the current head coach at Brigham Young University and was a National Coach of the Year finalist after leading the Cougars to an 11-1 record and No. 11 final ranking in 2020, the program's highest final ranking since 1996. Sitake became the first FBS head football coach of Tongan ancestry upon his hiring in 2015.
"On behalf of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, it is our great honor to recognize and celebrate the class of 2025," said Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame chairman, co-founder and inductee. "These men embody the spirit of Polynesia and have left an enduring mark on the game of football. We look forward to celebrating their incredible achievements this January in Hawai'i!"
2025's class will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame enshrinement weekend on Jan. 17-19, 2025. The events will include the Polynesian Bowl, the enshrinement ceremony and a celebration dinner.
The inductees were selected from a field of over 100 nominees and eight finalists by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which includes former NFL player and inaugural inductee Jack Thompson (chairman), coaches Dick Vermeil and Ron McBride, former NFL All-Pro player and inaugural inductee Olin Kreutz, past NFLPA President, NFL All-Pro player and inaugural inductee Kevin Mawae, former NFL Player and 2015 inductee Ray Schoenke, former ESPN sportscaster Neil Everett, and NFL Network Chief National Reporter Steve Wyche. In addition to the selection committee, all living Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Inductees cast a vote.
