current past asian nfl players
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Current and Past Asian NFL Players

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The National Football League (NFL) has always been a melting pot of diverse talent, with players from various backgrounds and cultures coming together to compete at the highest level. Among these athletes, a group of remarkable individuals of Asian descent have been steadily making their mark on the gridiron while making considerable amounts of income . Asian NFL players are not only defying stereotypes but also breaking barriers as they excel in one of America’s most popular sports.

Have Asians played in the NFL?

Less than 2% of all in NFL players in history have been of Asian ehtnicity.

List of Asian NFL Players (Currently Active)

Atlanta Falcons
younghoe too asian nfl player

Younghoe Koo

  • Ethnicity – Korean
  • Birthplace – Seoul , South Korea
  • Year Drafted/Signed – 2017 ( Chargers )
  • NFL Position – Placekicker
Minnesota Vikings
Camryn Bynum asian nfl player

Camryn Bynum

  • Ethnicity – Filipino American
  • Birthplace – Corona, California
  • Year Drafted/Signed – 2021 (Vikings)
  • NFL Position – Safety
Arizona Cardinals
kyler Murray asian nfl player

Kyler Murray

  • Ethnicity – Korean American
  • Birthplace – Bedford, Texas
  • Year Drafted/Signed – 2019 (Cardinals)
  • NFL Position – Quarterback
Buffalo Bills
Taylor app asian nfl player

Taylor Rapp

  • Ethnicity – Chinese American
  • Birthplace – Atlanta, GA
  • Year Drafted/Signed – 2019 (Rams)
  • NFL Position – Safety
Las Vegas Raiders
josh Jacobs asian nfl player

Josh Jacobs

  • Ethnicity – Filipino American / African American
  • Birthplace – Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Year Drafted/Signed – 2019 (Raiders)
  • NFL Position – Runningback

READ MORE: LIST OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL LEAGUES AROUND THE WORLD

Asian NFL Players All Time

Hines Ward

  • Career Span: 1998–2011
  • Brief Description: Hines Ward is a former wide receiver known for his toughness and versatility. He played his entire career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
  • NFL Position: Wide Receiver
  • Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
  • Teams Played For: Pittsburgh Steelers

Teddy Bruschi

  • Career Span: 1996–2008
  • Brief Description: Teddy Bruschi was a linebacker and defensive end who spent his entire career with the New England Patriots. He was a key part of the Patriots’ defense during their championship years.
  • NFL Position: Linebacker/Defensive End
  • Birthplace: San Francisco, California, USA
  • Teams Played For: New England Patriots

Eugene Chung

Patrick Chung

  • Career Span: 2009–2020
  • Brief Description: Patrick Chung is a safety known for his versatility and physical play. He spent the majority of his career with the New England Patriots.
  • NFL Position: Safety
  • Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
  • Teams Played For: New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles

Dat Nguyen

  • Career Span: 1999–2005
  • Brief Description: Dat Nguyen is a former linebacker who played his entire NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys. He was the first Vietnamese-American to play in the NFL.
  • NFL Position: Linebacker
  • Birthplace: Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, USA
  • Teams Played For: Dallas Cowboys

Roman Gabriel

  • Career Span: 1962–1977
  • Brief Description: Roman Gabriel was a quarterback and a four-time Pro Bowl selection. He played for multiple teams during his career.
  • NFL Position: Quarterback
  • Birthplace: Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
  • Teams Played For: Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles

Doug Baldwin

  • Career Span: 2011–2018
  • Brief Description: Doug Baldwin was a wide receiver known for his precise route running and clutch performances. He spent his entire career with the Seattle Seahawks.
  • NFL Position: Wide Receiver
  • Birthplace: Gulf Breeze, Florida, USA
  • Teams Played For: Seattle Seahawks

Will Demps

  • Career Span: 2002–2009
  • Brief Description: Will Demps was a safety who played for several teams during his career, including the Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants.
  • NFL Position: Safety
  • Birthplace: Charleston, South Carolina, USA
  • Teams Played For: Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants, Houston Texans

Kalif Raymond

  • Career Span: 2016–present (as of my last knowledge update in January 2022)
  • Brief Description: Kalif Raymond is a wide receiver and return specialist known for his speed. He has played for multiple teams in the NFL.
  • NFL Position: Wide Receiver/Return Specialist
  • Birthplace: Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA
  • Teams Played For: Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions

Scott Fujita

Timmy Chang

  • Career Span: 2006 (preseason with Philadelphia Eagles)
  • Brief Description: Timmy Chang was a quarterback who spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles during the preseason but did not play in regular-season games.
  • NFL Position: Quarterback
  • Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
  • Teams Played For: Philadelphia Eagles (preseason)

Darryl Kan

  • Career Span: 1981–1989
  • Brief Description: Darryl Kan was an offensive lineman who played for the San Francisco 49ers during his NFL career.
  • NFL Position: Offensive Lineman
  • Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
  • Teams Played For: San Francisco 49ers

Brandon Chillar

  • Career Span: 2004–2011
  • Brief Description: Brandon Chillar was a linebacker known for his versatility. He played for the Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Rams during his career.
  • NFL Position: Linebacker
  • Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
  • Teams Played For: St. Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers

Johnnie Morton

  • Career Span: 1994–2005
  • Brief Description: Johnnie Morton was a wide receiver who played for several teams during his NFL career, including the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs.
  • NFL Position: Wide Receiver
  • Birthplace: Torrance, California, USA
  • Teams Played For: Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers

Ed Wang

  • Career Span: 2010–2012
  • Brief Description: Ed Wang was an offensive lineman who played for the Buffalo Bills during his NFL career.
  • NFL Position: Offensive Lineman
  • Birthplace: Fairfax, Virginia, USA
  • Teams Played For: Buffalo Bills

John Lee

  • Career Span: 1986 (preseason with St. Louis Cardinals)
  • Brief Description: John Lee was a placekicker who spent time with the St. Louis Cardinals during the preseason but did not play in regular-season games.
  • NFL Position: Placekicker
  • Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
  • Teams Played For: St. Louis (Arizona) Cardinals (preseason)

Ryan Santoso

  • Career Span: 2018–present (as of my last knowledge update in January 2022)
  • Brief Description: Ryan Santoso is a kicker and punter who has played for several teams, including the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers.
  • NFL Position: Kicker/Punter
  • Birthplace: Pace, Florida, USA
  • Teams Played For: Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers
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Has there been an Asian Quarterback in the NFL?

Historically

  • Arthur Matsu: In 1928, Matsu became the first Asian-American quarterback in the NFL when he played for the Dayton Triangles.
  • Roman Gabriel:  ( pictured above) Filipino-American Gabriel played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1962 to 1973, winning the NFL MVP award in 1969 and becoming the first Asian/Pacific Islander quarterback to play in the Super Bowl.

Presently

  • Kyler Murray: Currently starting for the Arizona Cardinals, Murray identifies as both Korean American and African American. He was drafted first overall in 2019 and won the Heisman Trophy as a college player.

Best Asian NFL Players of All Time

Ranking the best asian NFL players of all time is pretty subjective, but we can objectively agree that titles, longevity, and championships are good indicators.

  • 1. Hines Ward– 2× Super Bowl champion (XL, XLIII), Super Bowl MVP (XL) with 1,000 receptions, 12,083 receiving yards, and 85 touchdowns.
  • 2. YoungHoe Koo – NFL Scoring Co-Leader (2020)
  • 3. Tedy Bruschi – 3× Super Bowl champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) with over 1,00 tackles and 30 sacks

Editor & Publisher

Jamie Freya Knott is a sports writer, entrepreneur, and the executive editor of SportsMonetize .