Who is the first Filipino born NFL player?

The Filipino sports scene these days are mostly about Pacquiao and boxing that we tend to forget the other sports and we ask: “Are there any other popular or successful Filipino athletes out there?” Good news everyone, there is! And he’s coming from a sport that isn’t that popular to Filipinos (yet) – American Football.

Eugene Philip Amano is the first Filipino-American NFL player and he currently plays for the Tennessee Titans and is an offensive lineman. He was born here in Manila on March 1, 1982 but studied in the US and played for Southeast Missouri State University where he excelled. As a senior he won the Division I-AA Dave Rimington Trophy, given annually to top center in college football at each level of competition.

He was then drafted by the Titans in the 7th round of the 2004 but was used mostly in special teams. Only recently has he had a starting role for them and has been a success where he was noted as one of the best finds in Titans draft history.

His family moved to the US when he was only two months old and he hasn’t been back to Manila but is proud of his roots that he started his own clothing line called AMANO ISLAND STRENGTH CLOTHING. He is also planning to make his own foundation called Eugene Amano Foundation to help our next generation of Filipino youth to a good education & great success.

Eugene Amano's clothing line

As a fan of the NFL because of the San Francisco 49ers, I’m a little bothered that I haven’t known of Amano’s roots. Good thing I stumbled upon shawie.com where he was featured there. Well, I guess offensive linemen aren’t that popular compared with the other positions that’s why he hasn’t gotten that much publicity he deserves. After writing this post, I feel that I’d be rooting for the Titans (and of course, the Niners) or wherever Amano is this coming 2009-2010 NFL season.

Here a video clip of Eugene Amano:

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