Younghoe Koo, a standout kicker for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, has made a significant impact both on the field and as a trailblazer for Asian-American representation in professional football.
Younghoe Koo is a South Korean-American professional football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL.
Koo played college football for Georgia Southern and was a finalist for the Lou Groza Award in 2016.
After going undrafted in 2017, the Los Angeles Chargers briefly signed him before releasing him.
Koo then played for the Atlanta Legends in the AAF, converting all his field goal attempts, which earned him a return to the NFL with the Falcons in 2019.
He also earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2020. He led the NFL in scoring that year and is known for his strong onside-kick ability.
Younghoe Koo’s Roots Are Deeply Connected To His South Korean Heritage!
Younghoe Koo, who belongs to the South Korean-American ethnicity, was born on August 3, 1994, in Seoul, South Korea.
At the age of 12, he moved to Ridgewood, New Jersey, to live with his mother while his father stayed in Korea.
This move marked the beginning of Koo’s journey as an immigrant adjusting to a new culture, language, and environment.
Koo’s connection to sports began with soccer in South Korea, where he won a regional kicking competition.
His football journey began when his classmates in New Jersey introduced him to the sport.
Despite not knowing any English and initially struggling to fit in, Koo’s natural kicking ability quickly caught the attention of his peers.
By the time he reached middle school, Koo was the kicker for Benjamin Franklin Middle School. He navigated the challenges of learning a new language and culture.
His passion for football grew, and in high school, his father encouraged him to pursue football over soccer after a coach saw his potential.
This led Koo to a scholarship at Georgia Southern University, where he became a finalist for the Lou Groza Award.
Although Koo went undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft, he signed with the Chargers before joining the Atlanta Falcons.
Koo’s success in the NFL is especially significant because he overcame challenges related to his ethnicity.
As one of the few Asian-American players in the league, Koo represents diversity in a sport where Asian representation has historically been limited.
Only about 2% of NFL players are Asian-American making Koo’s journey particularly remarkable.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- In 2023, Younghoe Koo married Ava Maurer
- Koo’s mother worked as a nurse in New Jersey after moving to the U.S. two years before him.
- His father is a professor at Induk University in Seoul, South Korea, where he remained while Koo moved to the U.S.
