Former Fighting Illini star Michael Hoomanawanui marked his 28th birthday Monday. The former All-Stater from Bloomington Central Catholic High School lettered at Illinois from 2006-09.
As a UI tight end, he caught 38 passes for 469 yards and four touchdowns, but he also was an outstanding blocker. The St. Louis Rams picked Hoomanawanui in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, and he eventually signed a four-year $2.4 million contract.
The Rams traded him to the New England Patriots in 2012, and he played in the AFC champs’ 28-24 victory over Seattle in Super Bowl XLIX (2015).