Former University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa football player Harry Montague-Field, the first player of Polynesian ancestry to play in the NFL, was named to the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023. He was selected from a field of more than 100 nominees and eight finalists.
Born in Wailuku, Maui, Montague-Field played one season for UH in 1930 before finishing his collegiate career at Oregon State, where he was a two-time All-American and played in the 1934 East-West Shrine Game. Playing the tackle position, he helped lead UH to a 5-2 record with collegiate wins over Brigham Young University and University of Idaho. He was a unanimous selection on every island all-star team that season.
After his collegiate career, Montague-Field played in 34 games over three seasons for the Chicago Cardinals (NFL) 1934–36 before playing for the Los Angeles Bulldogs (AFL) 1937–38. He is believed to be the only tackle to earn All-Pro honors in both leagues (NFL All-Pro in 1934 and 1936 and AFL All-Pro in 1937 and 1938).
Following his professional career, Montague-Field returned to Hawaiʻi and coached the Healani Football Team, 1939–40, and was head coach at Punahou School, 1941–50. He also served in the Hawaiʻi State Senate from 1963 until his death in 1964.
Montague-Field is the seventh former Rainbow Warrior named to the hall, and the first since Al Noga and Niko Noga were selected to the Class of 2021.
The Hall of Fame Class of 2023 will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend, which will be held January 20–21, 2023. Events will include the Polynesian Bowl, Enshrinement Ceremony and Celebration Dinner.
For more, visit hawaiiathletics.com.
