Asian NFL players: A ranked list of the 10 best Asian NFL players of all-time

Asian NFL players: A ranked list of the 10 best Asian NFL players of all-time

Sospeter Itolondo
updated at April 17, 2023 at 7:39 PM

Are there any Asian NFL players? There are not many Asian players in the NFL as it is not as popular among them. However, some Asian players have made strides and are ranked among the best in the game. So, who are the best Asian football players of all time in the NFL? Read on to learn more about Asian NFL players.

Asian NFL players till 2023
Younghoe Koo kicks a field goal against the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium on October 29, 2020, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo: Grant Halverson
Source: Getty Images

So, what percentage of NFL players are Asian? They have accounted for nearly two per cent of all players in the league. Some notable names include Hines Ward, Patrick Chung and Tedy Bruschi. So, how many Asian players are currently in the NFL? Here are some of the greatest Asian NFL players of all time.

Top 10 list of Asian NFL players

Some of the best Asian NFL players are mixed race. A good number were born in the United States of America, while others were born in Asian countries such as Korea. So, have there been any Asian NFL players? Here is a list of the best Asian NFL players till 2023:

10. Scott Fujita

The former linebacker was one of the best in the league. He was born on the 28th of April 1979 in Ventura, California, United States. The star played Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints and the Cleveland Browns.

what percentage of NFL players are Asian
Former NFL Linebacker Scott Fujita attends the Sports Academy Foundation 50 For 50 at Manhattan Country Club on July 13, 2017, in Manhattan Beach, California. Photo: Greg Doherty
Source: Getty Images

He is 6'6" or 198cm tall and weighs 250lb or 113kg. The star was born to a Japanese father, a veteran, and later adopted by a Japanese American, Rodney Fujita, who raised him with his wife, Elen. His Instagram handle is @mrfujita, and his Twitter is @sfujita55. He won the Superbowl once in 2010.

9. Roman Gabriel

The 6'5" or 196cm quarterback was born on the 5th of August 1840 in Wilmington, North Carolina. He weighed an astonishing 225lb or 102 kg. He was born to a Filipino immigrant. After his career, he coached teams such as Cal Poly Pomona, Boston Breakers, and the Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks.

First Asian American NFL player
Roman Gabriel stands under centre against the Washington Redskins during an NFL football game at Veterans Stadium November 10, 1974, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

The star played for teams such as the Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles. He was one of the most talented in the league and won NFL Most Valuable Player in 1969, NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1973, four-time Pro Bowl from 1967 to 1969 and in 1973, and two-time ACC Player of the Year in 1960 and 1961. He also got the NC States Wolfpack Jersey retired.

8. Eugene Chung

He was the first Korean American to ever be drafted in the first round of an NFL draft. He was born on the 14th of June 1969 in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The star was an incredible 6'4" or 193xm and weighed 295lb or 134kg.

greatest Asian NFL players of all time
Former NFL player Eugene Chung works with kids during a skills clinic at the NFL Experience Stay Cool in School on January 29, 2004, in Jacksonville, Florida. Photo: Matt Stroshane
Source: Getty Images

He played for teams such as New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. He managed teams such as Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Philadelphia Eagles in his coaching career. He won the LII Super Bowl.

7. John Lee

The star was born on the 19th of May, 1964. He weighed 182lb or 83kg. He was also 5'11" or 180cm tall. He played as a placekicker for trams such as the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Raiders. The star was born in South Korea in the city of Seoul, and his family moved to the United States at a later date. H was a two-time All-Pac-10 in 1984 and 1985.

6. Dat Nguyen

The former linebacker was born on the 25th of December 1975 in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. He weighed 238lb or 107kg and stood at 5'11" or 180cm. He played for the Dallas Cowboys and helped coach the same team.

best Asian NFL players
Dat Nguyen speaks among the 2017 College Football Hall of Fame Class for the 60th NFF Annual Awards Ceremony at New York Hilton Midtown on December 5, 2017, in New York City. Photo: Abbie Parr
Source: Getty Images

He was also the inside linebackers coach for Texas A&M. His family moved from South Vietnam to the refugee centre at Fort Chaffee, where he was born. His Instagram handle is @datbedat.

5. Kyler Murray

The incredible quarterback has a black father and a Korean mother. He was born on the 7th of August 1997 in Bedford, Texas. He is 5'10" or 178cm tall and weighs an incredible 2017lb or 94kg. He currently plays for the Arizona Cardinals since 2019.

active Asian NFL players
Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals, looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on November 13, 2022, in Inglewood, California. Photo: Sean M. Haffey
Source: Getty Images

He made many accomplishments, such as NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019, two-time Pro Bowl in 2020 and 2021, Heisman Trophy in 2018, Davey O'Brien Award in 2018, Manning Award in 2018, AP College Football Player of the Year in 2018, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2018, First Team All-American in 2018 and the All-Big First- Team in 2018.

His Instagram handle is @k1, and his Twitter is @K1. He is one of the active Asian NFL players on this list.

4. Tedy Bruschi

He currently works as the senior advisor to the Arizona Wildcats head coach. The star was born on the 9th of June 1973 in San Fransisco, California. His mother was Filipino, while his father had Italian roots. He is 6'1" or 185cm tall and weighs 247lb or 112kg.

number of Asian NFL players
Tedy Bruschi before the Pac-12 Championship game between the Stanford Cardinal and the USC Trojans at Levi's Stadium on December 5, 2015, in Santa Clara, California. Photo: Jason O. Watson
Source: Getty Images

The three-time Super Bowl won many awards and is among the best Asian players ever. He played for the New England Patriots between 1996 and 2008. His Instagram handle is @tedybruschi, and his Twitter is @TedyBruschi.

3. Patrick Chung

He was born to a Jamaican mother and a Chinese father in Kingston, Jamaica. He was born on the 19th of August 1987 and is 5'11" or 180cm. He also weighs 98kg or 215lb. He played for the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Top 10 list of Asian NFL players
Patrick Chung, #23 of the New England Patriots, looks on during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Photo: Maddie Meyer
Source: Getty Images

He is a three-time Super Bowl champion which is impressive. His Instagram handle is @23patrickchung, and his Twitter handle is @PatrickChung23.

2. Younghoe Koo

Is there a Korean NFL player? Yes, Youngoe Koo is Korean, as he was born in Seoul. The star played as a placekicker for teams such as the Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Legends, New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons.

Are there any Asian NFL players?
Younghoe Koo #7 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to the game against the Los Angles Chargers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 06, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo: Adam Hagy
Source: Getty Images

The South Korean was born on the 3rd of August 1994 in Seoul. He is 5'9" or 175cm and weighs 84kg or 185lb. The star is a 2020 Pro Bowl winner and was the NFL scoring leader in 2020. His Instagram handle is @kooyounghoe, and his Twitter is @YounghoeKoo.

1. Hines Ward

The 6'0" or 183cm tall wide receiver is one of the most successful Asians in the NFL. He was born on the 8th of March 1976 in Seoul, South Korea but had an African-American father. He transitioned into coaching after retiring from his incredible career, where he played for the Pittsburgh Steelers between 1998 and 2011.

Asian NFL players
Hines Ward pumps up the crowd prior to a game between the San Diego Fleet and the San Antonio Commanders at the Alamodome on February 09, 2019, in San Antonio, Texas. Photo: Edward A. Ornelas
Source: Getty Images

He worked for teams such as Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Florida Atlantic, and San Antonio Brahmas in his coaching career. He was also the Head of football development at the Alliance of American Football in 2019. The star was a two-time Super Bowl Champion in XL and XLIII editions. His Instagram handle is @mvp86hinesward, and his Twitter handle is @mvp86hinesward.

First Asian American NFL player

Arthur Matsu was the first American NFL player. He joined the Daytona Triangles in 1928. He was from Hawaii. He was a starter in four of the six games he played for the team.

What percentage of the NFL is black?

About 56.4% of the NFL is made up of black athletes. This number only accounts for the players. However, the ethnicity accounts for 36.3% of the coaches and 21.9% of the general managers and only 9.4% of the head coaches.

The Asian NFL players do not make up a large number, but the number keeps increasing hence a positive. Hines Ward has been the best Asian NFL player so far, winning many awards in his incredible career. African-Americans make up a huge percentage of NFL players.

READ ALSO: Liverpool Managers' History: A list of all Liverpool managers and their achievements

Sportsbrief.com also published a list of Liverpool's managers and their history. The team is one of the most accomplished teams in Europe and in the English Premier League. It has had legendary coaches like Jurgen Klopp and Graeme Souness.

So, who is the best Liverpool manager ever? Is your favourite manager on the list? Click on the link above to learn more about Liverpool managers.

Authors
Sospeter Itolondo photo
Sospeter Itolondo
SEO Editor