by Matthew Yoshimoto
As Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua watched from the sidelines of his brother’s recent football game, he saw many young fans proudly sporting his jersey. A profound realization struck him: these kids weren’t just admiring him as a wide receiver; they were inspired to chase their own dreams of stepping onto the field, just as he has.
Reflecting on his impact on future athletes, Nacua—who is of Samoan, Hawaiian, and Portuguese descent—shared his message for aspiring players, particularly those from Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander backgrounds who see themselves in professionals like him.
“It’s a responsibility and honor for me to represent my family in the way I was raised,” Nacua told AsAmNews. “The kindness, dedication, and hard work that I learned from both my parents, is something I want the kids to see. It’s because those are the things that will help them be the next Puka Nacua or whoever they want to be.”
In 2023, Nacua was one of over 300 NFL players participating in an initiative to wear flag decals on their helmets representing their heritage. Proudly displaying the Samoan flag alongside the U.S., Nacua highlighted the importance of such representation.
Sports journalist Mina Kimes—involved in an NFL-themed campaign by Intertrend Communications for Toyota celebrating AANHPI stories in the league that resonate deeply with Asian fans—underscored the significance of these efforts.
“They’re breaking stereotypes in so many ways,” Kimes said to AsAmNews. “For a young Korean American kid to turn on the TV and see one of the best defensive players wearing a little Korean flag on his helmet—it’s incredible. You can’t really capture the effect that has on someone, even if they’re not aspiring to be a football player. Just seeing anyone from our community excel in fields that feel different, where they seem like pioneers, opens up the possibilities.”
Kimes reflected on the limited representation of Asian athletes during her youth and highlighted the impact of figures like baseball player Chan Ho Park and football player Hines Ward for the Korean community.
She noted the recent rise of Asian players in the NFL, who are not only increasing in numbers but also becoming more outspoken about their heritage. This growing visibility, Kimes believes, is both inspiring and inclusive, allowing fans to feel more connected and represented.
“The world of options feels more expansive after seeing someone break barriers the way they have. Their success is indicative of their work ethic and craft, but also their support systems,” Kimes explained to AsAmNews.
After speaking with Nacua and Baltimore Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton, who is half Korean, Kimes noted the players’ shared sense of support from their families. Both athletes discussed the significance of their heritage in influencing their character and its impact on their fans, particularly those from AANHPI communities.
What makes Nacua and Hamilton particularly fascinating, according to Kimes, is that they play positions—wide receiver and safety—rarely represented in their community. They expressed excitement about inspiring younger fans to consider positions beyond the traditional ones.
“It’s a huge deal for kids to see Asian Americans excelling in sports, and beyond football too. It can’t be understated how much of an effect that has on young kids,” Kimes told AsAmNews.
Click here to learn more about Kimes’ takeaways from her interviews with AANHPI players.
Lekhna Gaddam, 19, a South Asian American and avid NFL fan, noted that while there are few South Asian athletes in the league, seeing other AANHPI Asian players like Nacua has been notably encouraging. She emphasized their impact beyond sports, resonating deeply across various aspects of her life.
Though Gaddam didn’t fully grasp the importance of Asian representation in sports until later in life, she said she now draws inspiration from AANHPI athletes in particular. With only three players of South Asian descent ever in the NFL, she hopes to see more South Asian players emerge in the future and has noticed a growing interest in professional sports among her AANHPI peers.
“It’s just really inspiring and something that makes me more motivated and more determined to reach my own goals, whether career-wise or other more personal goals. I really feel that, if they can do it, why can’t I? And I think that’s really important for others too,” Gaddam shared with AsAmNews.
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