Asian Representation in Sports (Kristin)

A large part of American culture is sports and athleticism, which in turn often generates a lot of media buzz.  Asian Americans are generally underrepresented within the media surrounding the National Football League, the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball (arguably the three most popular sports in the United States).  While race has long been a topic of discussion regarding sports, there seems to be a primary focus on African-Americans and Caucasians.  These two racial categories seem to dominate pro-sports.  

  According to the Census conducted in 2000, there are 10.2 million Asian Americans in the United States, a number that since then has grown significantly.  However, when asked to name Asian American pro-athletes, people seem to struggle to name a few.  There are not as many Asian American athletes, compared to other racial representations.  A common reason for this is the misconception that Asians are physically inferior.  According to Yung-Oh Whang, a University of Central Florida professor of sports marketing, “It is common that coaches and teachers at schools presume that an Asian American kid belongs in the science lab, not on the football field.  This is why it is so important that Asian American athletes have to rise to the top and show the general public that Asian Americans can also achieve excellence in sports”.   So now it is important to look at some of these athletes that have achieved excellence in sports:

 

Kailee Wong: 

He played in the NFL from 1998 to 2006.  Started out with the Minnesota Vikings and ended his career with the Houston Texans.  He was listed at 6’2” and weighed in at 246 lbs.  He played 123 games and made 500 tackles. 

Hines Ward:

He was born in Seoul, South Korea.  His mother was Korean and his father was African-American.  He was drafted to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and still currently plays.  He is 6’0” and weighs in at 205 lbs.  He holds the record in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns for the Steelers.

Yao Ming:

 He was born in Shanghai, China and currently plays for the Houston Rockets.  He is also the tallest player in the NBA standing at 7’6”.  He is one of China’s best known athletes and has several sponsorships with many major companies. 

Hisanori Takahashi:

He is from Tokyo, Japan.  He is a Japanese Major League Baseball pitcher who in February, 2010 signed a contract with the New York Mets.  He recently signed a two year contract worth $8 million with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.