Arizona State's Jackson He becomes first Chinese-born player to score TD in FBS history
In the waning minutes of a blowout win over its interstate rival, Arizona State saw one of its players make some history.
Up 63-7 in the fourth quarter against Arizona, the Sun Devils put in walk-on running back Jackson He to run it in at the goal line. Met near the end zone by an unblocked defender, He muscled the ball in and caused his sideline to go nuts.
He is believed to be the first Chinese-born player to score a touchdown in the history of the FBS.
😈 JACKSON HE FOR SIX 🔱
THE FIRST CHINESE BORN PLAYER TO SCORE A TOUCHDOWN IN FBS HISTORY.
🎥 https://t.co/ai5cgW0WIH pic.twitter.com/cAJoY90Jao— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) December 12, 2020
Per Fox Sports, He came to America from China at the age of 17 and played only a year of high school football before walking on at Arizona State. He wasn’t a preferred walk-on or anything like that, though.
He simply showed up to the Sun Devils’ student-athlete facility once he arrived in Tempe, walked into the football offices and said he wanted to walk on, according to AZFamily. After a quick review of game film that showed the 5-foot-9, 220-pounder’s quick feet and downhill running, He was playing on the scout team.
He remains the only known Chinese-born player in the entire FBS, and carries the title with pride through the Chinese characters on his jersey nameplate.
From AZFamily:
“I want to prove that Chinese can play really good football,” He said. “I have a chip on my shoulder. I want everybody to recognize us. We can have success not just in basketball, but in football too.”
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