NFL rookie Taylor Rapp out to ‘prove Asians can play’ and be the role model he never had growing up
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There are not many NFL rookies who get their own behind-the-scenes video series but there are not many rookies like the Los Angeles Rams’ Taylor Rapp.
The second-round draft pick is Chinese-American and has set out to become the role model he did not have growing up.
He lays that out in the first episode of Un-Rapp’d, a web series on the Rams’ website. Entitled “Who is Taylor Rapp?”, the six-minute video joins the former University of Washington player from draft day to meeting up with the team, while showing his home life back in Bellingham, Washington state.
“For me it’s bigger than making history or anything like that. It’s just trying to break that stereotype and no matter what you look like, no matter who you are, you can play professional sports or college sports at a high level, if you work hard,” Rapp said.
He has worked hard to get to the NFL and his family – Shanghai-born mother Chiyan, father Chris and elder brother Austin – speak in the video of their pride in him for his drive and success so far.