Mariota's Heisman Trophy Blessed In Traditional Ceremony
By Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
A ceremony to offer a traditional Hawaiian blessing of Marcus Mariota’s Heisman Trophy display was held Saturday morning, with the former UO quarterback on hand to participate.
Two days removed from quarterbacking the Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville, Mariota and his family joined Penny and Phil Knight, UO coach Mark Helfrich and others for the ceremony in the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex.
Mariota’s Heisman Trophy, the first won by a UO football player, is mounted on a base of eight layers representing foundational elements of his life including family, Hawaii, his teammates in high school and college, and the Oregon program.
“As you come in, realize it’s an important place not only for myself and my family, but the entire state of Hawaii, and this team,” Mariota said.
The blessing was conducted by Kumu Kaina Barba, using salt water from the Hawaiian island of Kauai, and a maile lei – referred to as the “Lei of Royalty” – that was strung across the front of the display and untied by Mariota himself as part of the ceremony.
“As we untie this lei, we open our arms for all to come and partake of this achievement,” Kumu Barba said.
Kumu Barba called Mariota and his accomplishments “a beacon of light.”
“Let us all be inspired by what our ohana here has done for us,” Kumu Barba said, using the Hawaiian word for family. “… May people come and see this light, this hope.”
Mariota’s parents and younger brother, freshman UO linebacker Matt, were on hand for the ceremony, along with other friends and family from Hawaii. Also participating was Todd Van Horne, the global vice president and creative director for Nike who designed the trophy display.
The current UO team, many of whose names appear with the 2014 team roster listed on the display, also crowded into the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex lobby to watch the ceremony.
“Where I come from is very important,” Mariota said. “We want this place to be an opportunity for people to come and recognize everyone that had a hand in this journey, everyone who was part of this experience.”
