Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton and Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman are representing their Black and Korean heritage proudly in the postseason. Hamilton’s team, the Ravens, will face off against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round on Sunday, while Freeman’s Fighting Irish face Ohio State in the College Football Playoff national championship on Monday.
Only a small percentage of athletes identify as both Black and Asian American. The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport reported that 0.1% of NFL players were Asian in 2023, while the NCAA stated that 1% of Division I head coaches across all sports were Asian in 2024. Hamilton and Freeman are breaking down barriers with their achievements.
“I think it’s cool to see minority athletes in positions of power,” said Hamilton, a Notre Dame alum who played for the Ravens from 2019 to 2021. “It’s especially great at an institution like Notre Dame, where you don’t often see Black Korean head coaches leading teams to championships.”
Freeman, whose team will make history by becoming the first Black and Asian head coach to reach the Football Bowl Subdivision national championship, emphasized his desire for others to follow in his footsteps. “I want this to be about others getting opportunities,” he said.
Hamilton and Freeman connected on ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes’ podcast, discussing their shared Korean heritage and experiences as athletes of color. They bonded over their cultural backgrounds and formed a strong relationship.
“I remember when I realized Kyle was ‘him’,” Freeman said during the podcast. Hamilton responded that he saw Freeman’s leadership from his first day as defensive coordinator at Notre Dame.
Hamilton has used his platform to proudly represent his Korean heritage, including adding a Korean flag sticker to his helmet last season as part of the NFL’s heritage initiative. The 2024 AP All-Pro selection hopes Notre Dame will bring home the championship this year, saying “I’m not just satisfied going there; we need to win the game.”
Freeman and Hamilton serve as examples of positive representation in sports, striving for excellence while inspiring others with their achievements.
Source: https://andscape.com/features/kyle-hamilton-marcus-freeman-and-representation-in-their-postseason-runs