PFRPA Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a celebration of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have shaped American history and continue to play a vital role in forming our country’s future.

 

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have a rich history in the NFL. This month, we honor PFRPA members of AAPI heritage who have made an impact on the game during their playing careers and following their retirement.

 

 

 

Marques Tuiasosopo, who is Samoan-American, was drafted 59th overall in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Raiders. He appeared in six NFL seasons with the Raiders, primarily as a backup quarterback, and continues to leave his mark on the game today as a coach.

 

Upon retirement, Tuiasosopo began his coaching career at the collegiate level with stints at Washington (2009-10, 2013); UCLA (2011-12, 2016); USC (2014-15); California (2017-2020); and Rice (2021-2024). He earned his first professional coaching opportunity when he was named an offensive assistant coach for the Detroit Lions in February 2025.

 

Tuiasosopo’s father, Manu, is also a retired NFL player and PFRPA member. He played eight seasons as a defensive tackle and won a Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers in 1985.

Born in Samoa, Jesse Sapolu attended high school and college in Honolulu, Hawaii. Following his collegiate career, Sapolu was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1983, where he spent his entire fifteen-year career.

 

Sapolu is a four-time Super Bowl champion and one of only six 49ers players to earn four Super Bowl rings in their career. Sapolu was named to the Pro Bowl twice in his career in 1993 and 1994.

 

Following his NFL career, Sapolu co-founded the Polynesian Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.

 

 

Lofa Tatupu, who is Samoan-American, played all six of his NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. In 2005, he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team; earned a Pro Bowl selection; and received the second-most votes for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. During his career, he earned another two Pro Bowl selections and was named First Team All-Pro in 2007.

 

Tatupu led the Seahawks in tackles for three seasons. He also made the postseason four times and helped the Seahawks make their first Super Bowl appearance in 2005. Tatupu went on to be named to the Seahawks’ 35th anniversary team in 2010 and served as an assistant linebacker coach for the Seahawks from 2015-16.

Eugene Chung made history in 1992 when he became the first Korean-American to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. He was selected 13th overall by the New England Patriots and went on to earn PFWA All-Rookie Team honors.

 

Following his retirement in 2000, Chung was an assistant offensive line coach for 10 seasons in the NFL from 2010-19, including for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017 during their Super Bowl Championship.

 

Chung was named the offensive line coach for Delaware State in 2025.

 

 

Al Noga was born in American Samoa and attended the same high school and college as Jesse Sapolu in Honolulu, Hawaii. Noga began his career with the Minnesota Vikings after he was selected 77th overall in the third round of the 1988 NFL Draft.

 

During his seven-year career, Noga played in 93 regular-season games, including 60 starts. He helped the Vikings reach the postseason three times in 1988, 1989 and 1992.

 

 

PFRPA celebrates the achievements of current and retired NFL players of AAPI heritage and their meaningful contributions to the game. Find out more about AAPI Heritage Month here.