Michael Hoomanawanui  Michael Patrick Hoomanawanui (; born July 4, 1988) is a former American football tight end of Hawaiian and Italian-Irish descent. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round (132nd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at University of Illinois. Hoomanawanui attended Epiphany Elementary and Junior High School and Central Catholic High School in Bloomington, Illinois. He was a "Chicago Tribune" and "Chicago Sun-Times" First-team All-State selection and a First-team All-Cornbelt Conference selection after making 50 receptions for 843 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior. He led the team with 139 tackles and eight sacks on defense. Hoomanawanui also lettered in basketball during freshman, sophomore and junior years. As a freshman, he played in 10 games, starting three at tight end. In 2007, he played in 11 games, starting five at tight end. As a junior, in 2008, he earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors by both the media and coaches after playing in all 12 games and eight starts at tight end. He ended the season with 25 catches for 312 yards and two touchdowns. In the 2009 season Hoomanawanui played in eight games, starting five. He ended the season with 10 receptions for 114 yards. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. On June 26, 2010, he signed a four-year, $2.4 million contract including a $215,000 signing bonus. During his rookie year in 2010, Hoomanawanui played 8 games (started three) making 13 receptions for 146 yards and three touchdowns. In 2011, he started eight games making seven catches for 83 yards. He was cut on September 2, 2012. On September 5, 2012, Hoomanawanui signed with the New England Patriots. During his first season with New England in 2012, Hoomanawanui played 14 games (started six) making five catches for 109 yards. He made his first career postseason start in the AFC Championship in a 28–13 loss against the Baltimore Ravens. On April 15, 2013, Hoomanawanui signed his free agent tender to remain with the Patriots. During the 2013 year, Hoomanawanui appeared in 13 games (started 10), made 12 catches for 136 yards and a one-handed touchdown catch in a loss to the Miami Dolphins. His efforts helped the Patriots to the AFC Championship again, only to lose to the Denver Broncos, 26–16.