AAPI Athletes and Artists Highlight Community's Impact on Football

Ahead of Super Bowl LX, event celebrates trailblazers and pioneers who broke barriers in the NFL.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Asian American and Pacific Islander football players, artists and leaders gathered in San Francisco to spotlight the community's historic impact on the sport during the 'Champions of the Game' event co-hosted by the Asian American Foundation and the NFL. The event recognized AAPI trailblazers and pioneers who broke through physical and racial barriers in the NFL, as the league continues to have low representation of Asian American and Pacific Islander players.

Why it matters

The event shines a light on the important but often overlooked contributions of the AAPI community to American football, a sport that has traditionally been dominated by other racial and ethnic groups. It highlights how sports can be a unifying force that brings diverse communities together, while also addressing the ongoing lack of diversity in the NFL.

The details

The event featured AAPI football players, artists and leaders, including former 49ers player Jesse Sapolu, who spoke about the added pressure he felt as one of the few Samoan players in the NFL. Paraag Marathe, president of 49ers Enterprises, discussed how the sports world is changing to become more inclusive of diverse executives. Artists of Chinese ethnicity also played a key role in designing special Super Bowl LX merchandise.

  • The event took place on the eve of Super Bowl LX in San Francisco on February 8, 2026.
  • Super Bowl LX will be held on February 9, 2026 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.

The players

Norman Chen

CEO of the Asian American Foundation, the co-host of the 'Champions of the Game' event.

Jesse Sapolu

Former 49ers player and four-time Super Bowl champion who spoke about the added pressure he felt as one of the few Samoan players in the NFL.

Paraag Marathe

President of 49ers Enterprises and executive vice president of 49ers' football operations, who discussed the increasing diversity in sports leadership roles.

Kathryn Kai-ling Frederick

Los Angeles Rams Chief Marketing Officer who spoke about the importance of serving diverse fan communities like Asian Americans.

Cao Yue

Chinese contemporary artist who designed a special Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse football for Super Bowl LX.

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What they’re saying

“We must recognize the legendary trailblazers, pioneers who broke through both physical and racial barriers in the NFL.”

— Norman Chen, CEO, Asian American Foundation

“When I first came to America in 1970 from my birthplace of Samoa, I didn't speak English. Through football, I had the opportunity to go to college and eventually to be drafted into the NFL.”

— Jesse Sapolu, Former 49ers player

“It is special to see how the world is changing. Sports is the greatest uniter of communities. It doesn't matter what color you are, we all love sports. We all love football.”

— Paraag Marathe, President, 49ers Enterprises

“When you actually look at the fan base, and you look at how it brings new fans in, it attracts new people to the game. But also, universally it doesn't separate what color you are. Everyone loved it.”

— Kathryn Kai-ling Frederick, Chief Marketing Officer, Los Angeles Rams

“While I was printing a lot of these posters, many quotes were talking about determination, belief and legacy, and I can't help but think that my Chinese ancestors who traveled through the Port of San Francisco carried that same determination and belief with them. They've really made the groundwork for me to be here today as the official artist for Super Bowl LX.”

— Fong, Chinese artist

What’s next

The 'Champions of the Game' event is expected to become an annual celebration highlighting the AAPI community's impact on football, leading up to future Super Bowls.

The takeaway

This event underscores the important but often overlooked contributions of the AAPI community to American football, a sport that has traditionally lacked diversity. It demonstrates how sports can be a powerful unifying force that brings people of all backgrounds together, while also highlighting the need for continued progress in increasing representation of Asian American and Pacific Islander athletes and leaders in the NFL.