Former Idaho standout Mike Iupati was named the inaugural recipient of the Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year presented by Hawaiian Airlines.
The Arizona Cardinals left guard earned the distinction after he won the balloting over National Football League stars Marcus Mariota of the Tennessee Titans and Manti Te’o of the San Diego Chargers.
“As a proud Polynesian and Samoan, I am honored to be selected as the inaugural Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year,” Iupati said in a statement to reporters. “I would like to congratulate the other finalists…they represent the very best of our culture and the National Football League.”
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame board of directors and selection committee voted to nominate Iupati as the first recipient of the annual award, which recognizes the most outstanding professional football player of Polynesian ancestry.
“On behalf of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Board of Directors and Selection Committee, we congratulate Mike on this historic accomplishment,” said Ma’a Tanuvasa, the vice chairman of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. “Mike is a great role model and inspiration for our youth around the globe.”
Iupati played for Idaho from 2006-2009, earning All-American honors during his senior season under former Vandal head coach Robb Akey.
The standout guard was selected in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers, earning a 2010 NFL All-Rookie selection. During the 2012-2014 seasons, Iupati earned three straight Pro Bowl appearances and played in Super Bowl XLVII, as the 49ers fell 34-31 to the Baltimore Ravens.
In March of 2015, Iupati signed a five-year, $40 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent.
The former Vandal’s presence on the offensive line this season has allowed the Cardinals to finish first in total offense and eighth in rushing yards.
Since the guard joined the Cardinals, the team has averaged 119.8 rushing yards per game, a 38-yard improvement from the 2014 season.
Iupati earned the Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year award just weeks after being nominated to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl.
Iupati will officially receive the award during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner on Jan. 29 in Honolulu, Hawai’i.