HONOLULU (Island News) — The recipe for Sunday Funday typically includes friends, football, and maybe even a cold beer.<\/p>\n
But this Sunday, an extra ingredient was added to the mix, making NFL history.<\/p>\n
Local fan, Hoala Goodhue said, “To see two of them in the same game playing against each other. I think that’s really big for the Hawaii community at large.”<\/p>\n
For the first time ever, two Hawaii quarterbacks, Tua Tagovailoa and Dillon Gabriel, faced off in an NFL game.<\/p>\n
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The recipe for Sunday Funday typically includes friends, football, and maybe even a cold beer. But for this Sunday, an extra ingredient is added to mix\u2026 making NFL History.<\/p>\n
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To make it more iconic, both are left-handed quarterbacks.<\/p>\n
“I want to see them represent Hawaii in the best way that they can. Whatever that means to them. You know, they come from different backgrounds. I would like to see them continue to give back to the communities as they already are,” said Goodhue.<\/p>\n
Tua went to St. Louis School in Honolulu and now plays for the Miami Dolphins, making it his fifth season in the NFL.<\/p>\n
His journey has had some triumphs and challenges.<\/p>\n
Deberah Nellis, owner of RedZone Sports Bar and Grill, said “Last year when they were going to pull him out for a concussion, and look at how his stats were at the end of the year. It’s unbelievable.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mililani High alum Dillon Gabriel started his rookie season this year with the Cleveland Browns.<\/p>\n
He was named starting quarterback on October first.<\/p>\n
A local Cleveland Browns fan said, “I think they’re on the right trajectory, and I only hope good things for them.”<\/p>\n
They may have different styles, but the same hometown pride.<\/p>\n
And the support from across the islands is evident.<\/p>\n
“Even though my team is the Browns, I follow all the Hawaii guys. So yeah, I’m very proud,” said the local fan.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beyond making history, this matchup brings something more.<\/p>\n
Nicole, a bartender at RedZone Sports Bar and Grill said, “I think it’s great for our young keiki. It gives them motivation and shows that you can make it. You can make it big.”<\/p>\n
“It gives them this chance to see people from their communities, people that look like them, to be out there in the big leagues, and it gives them a hope that maybe one day they reach there too,” said Goodhue.<\/p>\n
Nellis added, “We have so much talent; just because we are an island, we need to be more recognized.”<\/p>\n