Only 5 Superbowl Rings have been given to Asian-Americans. 3 belong to Tedy Bruschi. Rick Berns, a Raiders back up with Filipino heritage has one, and Hines Ward has the latest.

We are one week away from the Superbowl. Ward, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are back for the second time in 4 years. The Cardinals…the first time ever. One more Superbowl Ring will go to an Asian-American, it may not be Ward.

If you remember the last Steelers Superbowl… Ward walked away as the Superbowl MVP…The first Asian-American to walk away with one of the most prized trophies in all of sports. Yes, Ward is half Black, half Korean, and All Pro.

Lining up against him on Sunday, if a Hawaiian born safety with mixed Filipino Heritage, Aaron Francisco of the Cardinals.

This is a first…two teams with Asians will play against each other for the Lombardi trophy.

As a Filipino-American, born in the Philippines (I came when I was 3), and as a former highschool player, and coach, with semi pro experience, I take pride in seeing Asians in the NFL.

There aren’t too many, 66% of the league is black, 31% white, that leaves 3% for everyone else.

Where are they?

It all starts with the Asian experience, there’s not too many in America to begin with. Many Asians are still an immigrant group. Asian Immigrants come here looking to walk the streets paved with gold, looking for a better life in America. So as Asians settle, and work to make ends meet, their hearts are at home, their priorities are on success, and they’re in a building process. There is no room for sports. As Asian parents continue with their life, kids are given ultimatums: doctor, lawyer, wealthy businessmen… Asian parents come to America so their kids can make it and get a high paying career. Education is everything and sports, aren’t an option.

For many, that’s where the dream stops. I coached at Lowell High School in San Francisco, predominantly Asian. This public school is one of the few schools where middle school tests and grade point averages are needed to enter. For my kids, mostly the children of Asian immigrants, they had no support from their parents. Asian parents think time on the football field could be better applied to their studies.

Solution:

As Asians grow more settled, more have succumbed to the fact that sports may not be bad. Athletic scholarships are bonuses, as some schools look past the books, and prefer well rounded students. Future generations, become more Americanized, and some become fans, allowing the kids to participate. Parents are more aware of health and obesity, so why not let the kid get fit while playing a sport.

Issue : It’s in the genes

Studies show African-American legs are built different naturally, giving them an advantage in developing speed and athleticism. Whites, are naturally taller than Asians. Historically, Asians are built small.

Solution: Evolution

Asians who have settled here are actually growing bigger, and taller. Asians are also hitting the gyms and building strength, encorporating sports. The first full blooded Filipino in the NFL is Eugene Amano, a 300 pound offensive lineman. Filipinos are catching up.

The melting pot is stirring up more interracial children such as Ward, Bruschi, and Will Demps. As we’ve seen over the years, half-breeds are bringing Asians in, a half step at a time.

With these two evolutions going on, physicality and size won’t be an issue much longer.

Issue: Geography

Let’s face it, top football prospects, don’t come from the big city. Big metropolitan cities don’t produce too many star players. Schools are cutting funds, coaches aren’t full time coaches, and the hustle and bustle of the streets can distract development. In San Francisco, not too many have gone to the NFL, Dan Fouts, OJ Simpson, and Mike Holmgren, are the biggest NFL names to come out of the city. Why is this an issue? Most immigrant communities and Asians are inside or near the big cities. Daly City, just outside of San Francisco has had many Filipino players, yet the best football they ever produced was a white coach…the great John Madden.

Solution: Access to Coaching

I use to take my kids to football camps where they would get college style coaching. More and more specialized coaches are out there for hire. So with investments in money, and time, more Asians will have better shots at prolonging their football careers past high school.

Who says Asians can’t play?

In high school, a majority of my team (El Camino in South San Francisco) were Filipino. Several of us, including me received post season county honors. A few got college invitations. I was on staff with Lowell High School when Varsity won the San Francisco championship, 80% of the team Asian, mostly Chinese.

When I played semi pro, the two teams I played for, were owned by Filipino Americans, I ran into quite a few Asians on the road. I also received Nationwide honors as a West Coast 2^nd Team All Star. Our Co-Captain who was half Vietnamese use to bark at opponents in Vietnamese.

We believe Asian players have a psychological edge. We play for the love of the game, and are fearless. As Asians, there is a monkey on our back, we’re the small, brainy, geeky model minority. For some Asians it inspires us to go all out and play hard, and hit hard. What we may lack in size, we make up for it through hard work, smart play, and a kamikaze attitude.

Hines Ward is regarded as a cheap shot and big hitter, I think he does it to intimidate, hitting hard is his way of overcoming stereotypes players may have against his Asianness. It’s a survival tactic that works to Asian advantages.

Despite these issues and the lack of Asians, the National Football League has felt the impact of Asians for 80 years. Before Jackie Robinson broke Baseball’s Color Barrier, a Chinese guy called “The Sneeze” made it to the NFL, playing offense, defense, and special teams.

Today we have Tedy Bruschi, The Morton Brothers, Kevin Kaesviharn, and a few other Asians in the game. Find out who this Sneeze was and check out my next post for the NFL’s All Time All Asian Team.