I Left My Heart in Marinduque(not in San Francisco): Filipino-Americans Who Excel in US Sports

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Filipino-Americans Who Excel in US Sports

Worth Bragging About: Filipino-American Excellence in U.S. Sports-Jason Myers

When history is made on the biggest stage in American sports, it resonates far beyond the stadium. It echoes in living rooms, community halls, and family stories passed from one generation to the next. That is why the record-setting Super Bowl performance by Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers, scoring 17 points in Super Bowl LX (2026)-the most ever by a kicker in a championship game, feels personal to many of us-Filipino-Americans. Five field goals, two extra points, and a moment forever etched in NFL history.

💚Myers is of Filipino descent through his great-grandfather, who was originally from the Philippines and immigrated to the United States via Pensacola, Florida, serving in the U.S. Navy(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Myers).

For many Filipino-Americans like me, moments like this are not just sports trivia. They are affirmations. I did not know this, because Myers was a complete unknown until his performance at Super Bowl LX last Sunday.

As someone who has lived in the United States since the 1960s, I have seen how invisible Filipino-American contributions once were in mainstream sports. Today, those contributions are impossible to ignore and absolutely worth celebrating.

A Quiet Community, a Loud Impact

Filipino-Americans have often excelled without fanfare. We are not the loudest group, nor the most heavily marketed, but again and again, Filipino-American athletes have shown discipline, precision, and resilience, qualities deeply rooted in our culture.

Take Tim Lincecum, for example. The son of a Filipino mother, Lincecum became one of Major League Baseball’s most dominant pitchers, winning two Cy Young Awards and helping the San Francisco Giants to multiple World Series titles. His success challenged outdated ideas about what elite athletes are “supposed” to look like.

In basketball, Jordan Clarkson has become a household name. A Filipino-American guard in the NBA, Clarkson’s scoring brilliance earned him the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, while also making him a symbol of pride for Filipinos across the globe who love the game with unmatched passion.

Strength, Skill, and Representation

Combat sports have also been an area where Filipino-American athletes have stood tall. Boxers and mixed martial artists of Filipino heritage have built successful careers in the United States, combining technical skill with an almost spiritual toughness. Their stories often include immigrant parents, sacrifice, and a belief that excellence is the best form of gratitude.

In more recent years, Filipino-American athletes have also emerged in gymnastics, soccer, and collegiate sports, representing a new generation that is confident in both their American identity and their Filipino roots. They compete knowing they carry more than a jersey number, they carry history.

Why Jason Myers’ Moment Matters

That is why Jason Myers’ Super Bowl record matters beyond the box score. A kicker’s job is unforgiving. There are no second chances, no style points, just results. Under the brightest lights, he delivered perfection. That kind of calm under pressure is something many Filipino families recognize instantly. It is the same quiet determination our parents and grandparents brought with them when they arrived in this country.

For Filipino-Americans who grew up rarely seeing themselves reflected in American sports heroes, moments like this feel earned, not just by the athlete, but by the community.

A Legacy Still Being Written

The story of Filipino-Americans in U.S. sports is still unfolding. Each generation pushes a little further into visibility, respect, and leadership. From youth leagues to the Super Bowl, from neighborhood courts to Olympic arenas, the message is clear: we belong here.

So yes, this is worth bragging about.

Not out of arrogance, but out of gratitude. Gratitude for the journey, for the sacrifices made long before the trophies, and for the young Filipino-American athletes watching today, realizing that greatness is not something borrowed, it is something they can claim as their own.

And when history is made again and it will be, we will recognize it immediately. Because we have been waiting for it all along.

Filipino-American athletes are making significant strides across U.S. sports, showcasing excellence in basketball, baseball, golf, and combat sports while blending cultural pride with elite performance. Notable figures like

Jordan Clarkson, Kelsie Whitmore, and pioneering Olympians are breaking barriers, fostering representation, and strengthening the Filipino connection to American sporting culture.

Basketball (NBA/Pros): NBA guard Jordan Clarkson (Utah Jazz) highlights Fil-Am talent, alongside emerging names like Jared McCain (Philadelphia 76ers). In the Philippines' professional league (PBA), Filipino-American Chris Newsome has achieved stardom as a 2024 Finals MVP.
Baseball & Softball: Kelsie Whitmore made history as the first woman to sign with an Atlantic League team and the first pick in the inaugural Women's Pro Baseball League draft, becoming a trailblazer in American baseball.
Olympic & Elite Sports: California-born Tallulah Proulx became the first female athlete to represent the Philippines in the Winter Olympics. Cyclist Coryn Rivera-Labecki is one of the most decorated American female cyclists, with over 72 national titles.
Combat Sports & Others: Efren "Bata" Reyes is recognized as one of the greatest pool players of all time. NFL figures like Roman Gabriel (first Fil-Am quarterback) paved the way for current heritage representation in football.
Cultural Impact: The rise of Filipino Heritage Nights in the NBA (Clippers, Warriors) and MLB (Dodgers, A's) highlights the growing visibility and community pride of Filipino-Americans in U.S. sports.