Younghoe Koo is a kicker for the Atlanta Falcons and the fourth overall player in NFL history to have been born in South Korea. Growing up, he started off playing soccer and eventually was a four-year player for the Georgia Southern University Eagles. He earned first-team all-conference honors in his final season and was a finalist for the Lou Groza Award. Following his collegiate career, he went as an undrafted free agent in the 2017 NFL draft and signed with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Making his way to the Falcons, Koo was the NFL’s leading scorer in Week 13 of the 2019-2020 season, having made 32 of 33 field goals and 23 extra points for a total of 119 points. In December of 2020, he was selected to his first Pro Bowl at only 26 years old. Him, along with other up-and-coming AAPI professional athletes, are helping to pave the way for future generations to see themselves finally represented in top-tier athletic competition.