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Marcus Mariota wins 2016 Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year

Marcus Mariota, who produced a breakout season in 2016, was named the Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year, the Polynesian Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Thursday.

The Tennessee Titans star quarterback produced a breakout season to win the award, which is given to the top NFL player of Polynesian ancestry. Mariota was born in Honolulu, Hawai'i and is of Samoan descent.

"He is a tremendous role model and a source of great pride for Polynesians everywhere," Jesse Sapolu, chairman of the Hall of Fame board of directors, said in a statement.