Written by: Jacob Nevis
Every May, the United States celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. The month honors the influences and contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture and achievements of the United States. Asian American and Pacific Islander athletes have not only left an impact on American sports and society, but also on my life.
In the NFL, players of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage have long been underrepresented, with 0.1 percent of NFL athletes falling within that group. While this number is tiny, one of the players who makes up that 0.1 percent has made a massive impact on my life as a sports fan.
I have been a Miami Dolphins fan my whole life, and our fanbase has been waiting for a quarterback (QB) to lead us back to the Super Bowl since Dan Marino. In 2020, however, the Dolphins drafted Tua Tagovailoa out of Alabama as the 5th overall pick. Tagovailoa, who was born in a Samoan family and grew up in Hawaii, has helped the Dolphins get to back-to-back playoff appearances in the past two seasons.
This past season, Tagovailoa became the first QB ever born in Hawaii to be selected to the Pro Bowl. Many Dolphins fans, including myself, will now look for Tagovailoa to lead us back to the playoffs to help us see the Dolphins’ first playoff win since 2001.
Another athlete of Asian and Pacific Islander descent who has made an impact on my life is Tiger Woods. I remember watching golf with my grandparents when I was younger, and he used to always be in the lead when I was watching.
Woods, a child of a Thai mother and Black father, has been considered by many to be the best golfer of all time. He has many accomplishments that other golfers could only dream of, and his impact for Asian American athletes will resonate for years to come.
These celebrities are only two of the many Asian American and Pacific Islander athletes who have left their mark on the world of sports. I hope that during this AAPI Heritage Month, you can think about an Asian American and Pacific Islander athlete who has inspired you.
