The NFL is celebrating international diversity within the league this week through its NFL Heritage Program.
According to a press release from the NFL, over 330 players and coaches will wear international flag decals representing their heritage. The players will wear the decals on their helmets, and the coaches will wear patches on their jackets.
All 32 teams will participate in the program during Week 7 and Week 8. The league says it allows them to “celebrate the heritage, families and cultures that make up the fabric of the League.”
“My grandmother was born and raised in Samoa, and recently left us in 2021,” Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams Wide Receiver, who will display the Samoan flag on his helmet, said in a statement. “To be able to represent our family’s heritage and feel like she is here with me on the field is the most incredible thing. I’m proud to play for all of our Samoan fans out there and can hopefully inspire future generations of Samoan athletes.”
According to the press release, players and coaches can wear the flags from places where relatives have been born or where they’ve lived for over two years.
Here is the NFL’s list of players and coaches who will be wearing AAPI-related flags:
Players
- Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals, South Korea
- Keith Ismael, Arizona Cardinals, American Samoa
- Leki Fotu, Arizona Cardinals, Tonga
- Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons, South Korea
- Kaden Elliss, Atlanta Falcons, Samoa
- Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens, South Korea
- Taylor Rapp, Buffalo Bills, China
- Frankie Luvu, Carolina Panthers, American Samoa
- Joshua Tupou, Cincinnati Bengals, Tonga
- Mike Purcell, Denver Broncos, Samoa
- Luke Wattenberg, Denver Broncos, South Korea
- Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions, American Samoa
- Darrin Paulo, Detroit Lions, American Samoa
- Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Detroit Lions, Tonga
- Brevin Jordan, Houston Texans, South Korea
- Henry To’oto’o, Houston Texans, Tonga & Samoa
- DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts, American Samoa
- Julian Blackmon, Samoa
- Netane Muti, Las Vegas Raiders, Tonga
- Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders, Philippines
- Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams, Samoa
- Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins, Samoa & American Samoa
- Khyiris Tonga, Minnesota Vikings, Tonga
- Patrick Jones, Minnesota Vikings, Japan (born on a military base in Japan)
- Camryn Bynum, Minnesota Vikings, Philippines,
- Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots, American Samoa
- Daniel Ekuale, New England Patriots, American Samoa
- Jahlani Tavai, New England Patriots, Samoa & American Samoa
- Atonio Mafi, New England Patriots, Tonga
- Marté Mapu, New England Patriots, American Samoa,
- Bradlee Anae, New York Jets, Samoa & The Cook Islands
- Marcus Mariota, Philadelphia Eagles, American Samoa
- Iosua Opeta, Philadelphia Eagles, American Samoa
- Jordan Mailata, Philadelphia Eagles, Samoa
- Marlon Tuipulotu, Philadelphia Eagles, Tonga
- Talanoa Hufanag, San Francisco 49ers, Tonga
- Vita Vea, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tonga
- Sam Howell, Washington Commanders, South Korea
- Jabril Cox, Washington Commanders, American Samoa
- Tariq Castro-Fields, Washington Commanders, Philippines
- Brycen Tremayne, Washington Commanders, Japan & China
- Harvey Langi, Free Agent, Tonga
Coaches
- Joe Kim, New England Patriots, Korea
- Cade Knox, New York Giants, China & Denmark
- Sean Desai, Philadelphia Eagles, India
- Sanjay Lal, Seattle Seahawks, India
- Vincent Rivera, Washington Commanders, Korea
- Masahiro Takahagi, Washington Commanders, Japan
- Mark McCracken, Washington Commanders, Korea
- Doug Quon, Washington Commanders, China
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