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Former Steelers OL Chris Kemoeatu inducted into Polynesian Football Hall of Fame

Brian Jones Profile Picby:Brian Jones•12/04/24•

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Chris Kemoeatu
Jan 1, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers guard Chris Kemoeatu (68) during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Steelers won 13-9. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Chris Kemoeatu was named to the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 on Wednesday. Kemoeatu joins a class that includes former San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Jim Nicholson and current BYU football head coach Kalani Sitake.

The inductees were selected from over 100 nominees and eight finalists by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee. They will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame enshrinement weekend on Jan. 17-19, 2025.

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“On behalf of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, it is our great honor to recognize and celebrate the class of 2025,” said Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame chairman, co-founder and inductee, per NFL.com. “These men embody the spirit of Polynesia and have left an enduring mark on the game of football. We look forward to celebrating their incredible achievements this January in Hawai’i!”

The Steelers selected Chris Kemoeatu, 41, in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. In six seasons in Pittsburgh, Kemoeatu played in 75 games with 53 starts and helped the team win two Super Bowls.

Chris Kemoeatu was taught to be ‘humble and loyal’

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Before joining the NFL, Kemoeatu played college football for the Utah Utes and was named an All-American in 2004.

In 2008, Kemoeatu talked about how his strong work ethic was installed in him by his family. “Dad was real strict when we were growing up, he told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review back in 2008. “He taught us to be humble and loyal. We grew up in the church, but we grew up poor, too. It made us realize that we had to work hard for whatever we wanted.”

Ken Vierra, Kemoeatu’s agent at the time, told the Tribune-Review what makes him a strong offensive lineman. “First and foremost about Chris is his power,” he said. “When he hits NFL-caliber people, it’s an awesome thing to behold. What he has as a guard, you can’t coach it, and most guys don’t have it. You look around the league, and there’s a lot of good guards, but you don’t see guys go flying like you do when Chris hits them.”