What Is Washington Commanders Quarterback Marcus Mariota’s Ethnicity?
Since being selected with the second overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, quarterback Marcus Mariota had stints under center with the Tennesee Titans, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Atlanta Falcons. In 2023, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles to back up starter Jalen Hurts. Then, on March 14, 2024, the athlete signed a deal with another NFC East team to backup Washington Commanders starter Jayden Daniels.
Due to injuries Daniels suffered in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Marcus’ number has been called to fill in for the young starter.
Now, fans wasn’t to more about the veteran signal caller and his family.
Who are Marcus Mariota’s parents?
Marcus Ardel Taulauniu Mariota was born on Oct. 30, 1993, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to his father, Toa Mariota, and mother, Alana Deppe-Mariota.
Toa is of the Samoan descent. He grew up in American Somoa and moved to Hawaii to attend Chaminade University. Toa worked in the Department of Homeland Security for over 25 years and today is the supervisor for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement branch of the department. Marcus’ mom, Alana, is of German descent. She grew up in Alaska before relocating to Hawaii. Like Toa, Alana attended Chaminade University. These days she does work for her son’s Motiv8 Foundation.
Marcus’s parents supported his dreams and even sold their house when he started getting into football and was trying to get exposure. They sent Marcus to various elite football camps and to help pay for those camps the Mariota family sold their house, which overlooked Diamond Head.
Marcus played his college ball at the University of Oregon, where he became the first player from the Ducks, the first Polynesian, and the first Hawaiian to win the prestigious Heisman Trophy.
Marcus has a family of his own today
Today, Marcus has children of his own and hopes to provide them with that same strong family foundation that he had growing up.
He married his college sweetheart, Kiyomi Cook, on July 1, 2021, in front of around 100 guests on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. They welcomed their first child, Makaia Kei Mariota, the following year on Dec. 7, 2022.
Not long after she was born, her proud papa shared several snaps on Instagram of his baby girl one including a post from April 2023 of the family on the beach with their two dogs, Jaqua and Swoosh. As well as shots of Makaia’s first Christmas with everyone in front of the tree wearing matching pajamas.
ESPN noted that the couple’s second child, a son, was born on Dec. 25, 2024.
When asked how how was feeling after baby No. 2 arrived, Marcus said, “It’s been a very surreal couple of weeks. Very blessed to have my little son and, yeah, it’s been very, very, very special for me. It’s hard to put into words.”
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