How Asian American and Pacific Islander athletes in the NFL express their cultural pride
Historically, Asian Americans have been stereotyped as more brains than brawn or “foreigners” when it comes to sports like football
One might think rookie Nikko Remigio would be fielding all kinds of questions on making it to the Super Bowl in his first pro season. But leading up to Sunday's game in Las Vegas, his family in the Philippines have asked more about Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.
Why haven't they asked for anything, not even Kansas City Chiefs merch? The 24-year-old wide receiver's new level of visibility already feels like a prize.
“One of the big things not only for me — but I know for my dad and his sisters, and my grandma and grandpa — is just people being able to pronounce our last name the right way,” said Remigio (pronounced ruh-me-HEE’-oh). Representation, he said, is more valuable than money or any material objects.
Remigio has been on his team's reserve/injured list since August and makes a much-anticipated return to the field this weekend.
