Former USC national champion Riki Ellison has been named to the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017.
Ellison, known as Riki Gray during his time at USC, played LB for the Trojans from 1978-82. The New Zealand native, who is of Maori ancestry, won a national championship at USC his freshman year and appeared in two Rose Bowls. He earned Pac-10 first-team honors his sophomore year and led the Trojans in tackles his senior year.
Ellison was drafted in the 5th round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, becoming the first Kiwi to ever play in the NFL. He played in SF for seven seasons (1983-89), winning three Super Bowls. He then played for the Los Angeles Raiders for three years (1990-92).
Ellison is joined by Junior Ah You, Chris Naeole, Ma'a Tanuvasa and John Manumaleuna in the Class of 2017.
Ellison and the rest of the Class of 2017 will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on January 21-22, 2017 in Oahu, Hawai'i.
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