Week 1 of the NFL regular season will feature a unique Hawaii connection when two team captains from the islands face off in the AFC.
Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins travel to Indianapolis on Sunday to meet DeForest Buckner and the Colts.
Tagovailoa, a Saint Louis graduate entering his sixth NFL season, has appeared in 64 games and thrown for 15,506 yards with 100 touchdowns and 44 interceptions while completing 68% of his passes. A one-time Pro Bowl selection, he was again voted as a Dolphins captain this season, a role he said he does not take lightly.
“It means a lot,” Tagovailoa said. “My leadership, how I’ve grown as a person, how I interact with guys, it’s changed and grown over the years. To be named by our teammates and coaches, it’s an honor. You can’t take that lightly. We know it’s going to take us players to get this ball moving.”
This year, Tagovailoa is joined in Miami by another Hawaii native, rookie offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea, also a Saint Louis graduate.
Buckner, a Punahou graduate, is a three-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro entering his ninth NFL season. The defensive tackle has played in 141 career games with 67.5 sacks and 605 tackles.
Speaking at the Colts’ game-week press conference, Buckner said he believes offseason additions can help Indianapolis return to the postseason for the first time since 2020.
“I’m excited,” Buckner said. “We’ve got a lot more playmakers on the back end. The guys are anxious to get out there and show what this defense can do. Collectively, throughout training camp, we’ve made plays at all levels, and I’m excited for what we’re going to be able to do come Sunday.”
The Colts and Dolphins kick off at 7 a.m. HST on CBS where made available.
NFL Week 1 schedule:
Thursday, September 4
- 1:20 p.m. HST: Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles (NBC)
Friday, September 5
- 2:00 p.m. HST: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers (YouTube)
This is an NFL International game played in Brazil.
Sunday, September 7:
- 7:00 a.m. HST: Tampa Bay vs. Atlanta (Fox), Cincinnati vs. Cleveland (Fox), Miami vs. Indianapolis (CBS), Carolina vs. Jacksonville (Fox), Las Vegas vs. New England (CBS), Arizona vs. New Orleans (CBS), Pittsburgh vs. New York Jets (CBS), and New York Giants vs. Washington (Fox).
- 10:05 a.m. HST: Tennessee Titans vs. Denver Broncos (Fox) and San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (Fox)
- 10:25 a.m. HST: Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers (CBS) and Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Rams (CBS)
- 2:20 p.m. HST: Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills (NBC).
Monday, September 8
- 2:15 p.m. HST: Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears (ABC/ESPN).