MANILA, Philippines – As the old saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
There are currently many Filipino-American players in the National Football League (NFL), and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Nicco Remigio is optimistic that players from the Philippines can make it in the U.S.-based league.
Remigio, who has Filipino roots and is in the country with fellow Filipino-American NFL player Cam Bynum for Camp Vesey's “Manila Madness” III, said he believes American football will flourish in the basketball-crazed Philippines, and that's already starting with small steps.
Remigio and Bynum are two of the few NFL players of Filipino descent.
“It starts with exposure. If you have the exposure and the resources, it will happen. Hopefully with us coming here and spreading awareness of American football and hosting camps like this, some kids will be inspired to come to America and play at the professional level,” the 24-year-old wide receiver told Philstar.com.
The camp attracted hundreds of participants from countries including the Philippines, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.
“And who knows what it's going to be? PBA, PFL, you know what I mean? The possibilities are really endless. There's no limit when it comes to this,” he said.
“But for now, it starts with small steps like providing Filipinos with the support and resources they need to succeed in sports. I think we're still in the process of finding the right way to do that, but it starts with small steps like this.”
Filipinos are also made for American football
The Super Bowl champion similarly emphasized that Filipinos have what it takes, both physically and mentally, to compete in the sport.
“They got it. They got it, right? To me, that's a good thing. They've got the fundamentals, they've got the skills. It's the little little things that Cam and I think have allowed them to be here like this,” he emphasized.
“I think more than anything, they have the competitive attitude. They have it in their hearts. You can't teach that. You have to have it in yourself,” he added.
But beyond physical ability, the mind is also a big part of Filipino strength.
“Physically, I think we're quick. That's what I pride myself on in my game. You can't catch me. So I think it's the natural quickness that Filipinos have, the natural strength that Filipinos have. Filipinos are strong. You can see that when you look at our feet,” he said.
“Filipinos are born strong, but above all, we have heart. It's within us, and like I said, it's not something that's taught to us, it's something that's innate in us, in our people, so we have to find it. We have warrior blood, we have warrior spirit, it's something that's in all of us.”
He also highlighted the resilience of Filipinos as a factor that gives Philippine athletes an edge.
“We talked about the resilience of Filipinos, the kind of Filipino competitive spirit that we have. I think this is a testament to the rise of Filipinos in the NFL, the rise of Filipinos in professional sports,” he said.
“Being an icon, being a figure, I think you can do that. Basketball isn't the only way to be successful. That's what's important.”
Meanwhile, Remigio acknowledged that despite growing awareness, the lack of resources to host camps in the Philippines remains an obstacle that must be overcome.
“The recognition is here. I think one of the biggest things is getting more resources. Some of the issues we're facing are field space, are we able to have field space for people to go and practice,” he said.
“What Cam and I are trying to figure out is very basic things like how can we work with BGC, Makati and Alabang to find the field space and resources to be able to compete,” he added.
And unlike a run-of-the-mill basketball court, American football requires certain standards.
“Basketball courts are everywhere. There's a basketball goal somewhere, you can find it. But football is a little bit different and that's something we've been working on. Cam has already had a head start finding field space where kids and adults can play.”
