White Center's football great Jack Thompson was named to the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013 on Oct. 9.

Thompson, who played quarterback at Evergreen, Washington State and for the Bengals and Buccaneers in the NFL, joins seven other players and coaches who will be officially inaugurated at the Jan. 23 NFL Pro Bowl.

The 2013 Class includes:

Jack Thompson - Quarterback
Kurt Keola Gouveia - Linebacker
Olin George Kreutz - Center
Kevin James Mawae - Center
Tiaina Baul "Junior" Seau, Jr - Linebacker
Herman John Wedemeyer - Halfback
Ken Niumatalolo - Head Coach

Polynesian Football Hall of Fame biography:

JACK THOMPSON (Player)
Quarterback … Washington State University … Three times named All Pac-10 … Named First team, Second or Honorable Mention All-American three times … Finished Ninth in 1978 Heisman Trophy voting … Graduated as most prolific passer in NCAA History (7,818 yards) … Led NCAA in nine different offensive categories (1976) … Cincinnati Bengals (1979-1982), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1983-1984) … Six seasons … Selected by Bengals in 1st round, 3rd player overall (1979 NFL Draft), highest Polynesian ever selected … Number 14 is retired by WSU … Nicknamed The Throwin’ Samoan … Born May 19, 1956 in Tutuila, American Samoa.

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Original story on Sept. 30
Jack Thompson named a finalist for first Polynesian Football Hall of Fame class

Hailing from White Center, Jack “The Throwin’ Samoan” Thompson has been selected as a nominee for the first ever Polynesian Football Hall of Fame 2013 class.

Thomson learned the quarterback position while playing at Evergreen in White Center before playing for Washington State University in the 1970s. There, he made his mark in the history books setting the record for the most passing yards in NCAA history (7818 yards) along with a slew of PAC-10 records, three All-American nods, and a 9th place finish for the 1978 Heisman. He was drafted third overall in the 1979 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He played six years in the NFL, for the Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Thomson joins 25 other finalists named in August, and seven will be selected for the Inaugural Class on Oct. 9. An enshrinement ceremony will be held on Jan. 23 in Honolulu during the NFL Pro Bowl.

According to their stated mission, “The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame will serve as a resource for Polynesian Football history, provide college scholarships designated for student-athletes of Polynesian ancestry, educational programs focusing on character and teamwork for Polynesian youth and support, other initiatives impacting Polynesian culture and heritage.”

“There have been many Polynesian football players that have made a profound impact on the game we all love,” HOF co-founder and four-time Super Bowl champ Jesse Sapolu said in a press release. “It is our responsibility to honor these legends and help educate our young people about their significant contribution to Polynesian history and football.”

For more information, visit the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame online at www.polynesianfootballhof.org.