"It wasn't too long ago that Rapp, 21, would do all that he could to try to conceal his Chinese heritage, rather than put it on full display. "I'm trying to change the narrative," Rapp said. His parents met in China, where Chris worked in a steel mill and Chiyan was a translator. Where does the Rams defense stand without Eric Weddle?A year after the Super Bowl, an early offseason to-do list for the RamsJared Goff, Rams move on from embarrassment, boost playoff hopesTaylor Rapp's first interception is pick-six of Kyler MurrayRams' defense shows sharp improvement the year after Ndamukong SuhRams' 53-man roster projection includes deep receiving corpsRams rookie safety Taylor Rapp wants to 'show that Asians can play'Rams 53-man roster projection includes three backups for Todd GurleyThe five most intriguing prospects at the 2019 NFL combine "To celebrate 100 years of pro football, Peyton Manning travels the country to see the people and places that made the NFL the NFL.There, visible for all to see, is Rapp's life: a Chinese American who looked up to his older brother, earned a scholarship to play football at Washington, and in turn became a role model for young Asian Americans across the Seattle region.If Rapp makes the impact he intends to for the defending NFC champions, there could be plenty of ink to add. Taylor Rapp (born December 22, 1997) is an American football safety for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). "But for Rapp, it's not just about proving what he can do for the Rams. They made their home in the United States.Rapp grew up in Bellingham, a small town in Washington state, about 25 miles south of the Canadian border. ... Rapp was named to the ESPN True Freshman All-America team. Learn about Taylor Rapp and other recruit player profiles on RecruitingNation.com. "Doesn't matter what you look like."
"Recently, Rapp and Austin returned to downtown Bellingham when Austin noticed that Rapp was being approached by strangers and acquaintances to thank him for responding to their messages.Unbeknownst to his family until that day, Rapp has been responding to direct messages on social media from young people who aspire to follow in his footsteps or simply find inspiration from his story. "Keep them busy and they were both very competitive, so we wanted to help their leadership and talent grow. Finding a full-time role in a position group that includes veteran But Rapp's versatility -- he has shown an ability to play in coverage, around the linebackers and at the line of scrimmage -- could earn him early playing time. … Austin said.With the Rams, Rapp has the opportunity to excel for a team poised to make a deep playoff run, if not a return trip to the Super Bowl. "I just kind of want to be an inspiration to the kids that were in my position growing up who didn't necessarily have someone to look up to in major sports, in football. "He had a lot of fans, and he said even a couple times his first year there were little Asian kids who used to walk up, even their parents, who were so excited for Taylor," Chiyan said.
"Rapp's mother, Chiyan, is Chinese, born and raised in Shanghai. "I just want to be able to show that not only Asian Americans or Chinese people can play professional sports at the next level, but anyone who looks like anything or anyone of any nationality," Rapp said. "Rapp earned a scholarship to play at Washington. After all, … "You don't see a lot of football players who are Asian. "Both excelled at football. With the selection, Rapp became the newest member of a small group of Asian Americans, and an even smaller number of Chinese Americans, to be drafted into the NFL. THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Standing next to his veteran The rookie safety's No. "He's talented," Weddle said. They had little idea that outside of their family home, where traditional Chinese holidays were celebrated and dumplings were a favorite, that their sons felt challenged to fit in. "I remember being kind of ashamed of it because I didn't necessarily look like everyone else, especially in grade school," Rapp said.The Rams selected Rapp with a second-round pick in April after he played three standout seasons at Washington. The rookie safety's No. Chiyan said it was there in Seattle, a city with a large Asian American population, where Rapp outwardly embraced his Chinese heritage.
On December 19, he was named to the Pro Football Focus Freshman All-American team. Los Angeles Rams Rookie Taylor Rapp Aims to Show ‘Asians Can Play’ in the NFL Taylor Rapp, the newest member of a small group of Asian Americans to be … 24 jersey fits snug across his broad shoulders.
Lindsey Thiry ESPN THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Standing next to his veteran Los Angeles Rams teammates, Taylor Rapp blends right in. "We were just trying to get them involved," Chiyan said. He's intent on proving what is possible for anyone who thinks they might not fit the mold. Latest on Los Angeles Rams safety Taylor Rapp including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN "It was hard to get recruited.
Listed at 208 pounds, Rapp fills out every bit of his 6-foot frame.But a look at his leg reveals a distinguishing mark.Tattooed on Rapp's right calf is a large mural of two young boys, walking hand-in-hand, along a path through Husky Stadium at the University of Washington and toward the Space Needle in Seattle.
Among them are Hines Ward, "It's not really so much about making history," Rapp said. With his latest predictions about five breakout defensive backs for 2020, Brooks gets it correct by naming LA Rams safety Taylor Rapp. I felt like I didn't look like a typical football player to college coaches," Rapp said. That meant, in a predominantly Caucasian area, concealing their Chinese background as best they could. "Being a kid, you obviously went through middle school, and middle school kids are terrible, and obviously you go for the low-hanging fruit jokes," Austin said.Chris and Chiyan put their boys in sports, mostly baseball and football.