Former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Riki Ellison will be inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. Ellison is one of five members of the 2017 class that was unveiled on Tuesday. Junior Ah You, Chris Naeole, Ma'a Tanuvasa and John Manumaleuna are the other inductees.
Ellison is being honored for his standout career both in college at the University of Southern California and for his nine years in the NFL. The linebacker spent his first six seasons with the 49ers after San Francisco drafted him in the fifth round (117th overall) of the 1983 NFL Draft. Ellison won two Rose Bowls and a National Championship while at USC. He was also a three-time Super Bowl Champion with the 49ers. He finished his professional career with five sacks, seven fumble recoveries and one interception.
Ellison is the first player from New Zealand and of Māori Ancestry to play in the NFL and win a Super Bowl.
The Class of 2017 will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend, to be held on Jan. 21 & 22, 2017 in Oahu, Hawai'i.
