Yagi Makes Football History in Conquest Victory
July 22, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release
(ALBANY, NY) – Following in the paths of Ichiro Suzuki and Yao Ming, Albany Conquest QB Kenta Yagi became the first ever Japanese-born player to throw a touchdown pass in American professional football. Yagi (Doshisha University) completed a 36-yard touchdown toss to WR/LB Jim Jones with :20 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of the Conquest’s, 69-63, victory over the Rochester Brigade Saturday night in Albany, NY. The Conquest play in the arenafootball2 league, a four-year old league with teams across the country in mid-sized markets.
According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, there is no record of any Japanese quarterback throwing a touchdown pass for any team in the NFL or any other pro football league in the United States. Yagi is playing in his second season with the Conquest, but got to attempt his first pass against the Brigade. He finished the game 2-for-3 for 31 yards and one touchdown, in less than one quarter of work. Yagi also recorded his first tackle and forced fumble, following his first career interception, on the final play of the game.
Yagi was the first Japanese player to be assigned to the Conquest, but has not been the last. Defensive Specialist Yuichi Watanabe (Senshu University) played against the Birmingham Steeldogs on May 23rd at the Pepsi Arena and recorded an interception, a tackle and four pass breakups while playing the entire game. Watanabe was activated form the teamÂ’s International Roster, a two-man roster created by the arenafootball2 league office prior to this season encouraging teams to carry international players and teach them the game of arena football. Albany currently has four Japanese players on their roster; Yagi, Watanabe, Takamasa Suzuki (Nihon University) and Naoki Kosho (Ritsumikan University). Suzuki and Kosho are currently on the ConquestÂ’s international roster, while Watanabe should be activated from the practice team for the final home game this Saturday night in Albany, NY.
Yagi played in JapanÂ’s X-League before coming to America and pursuing his football career stateside. He earned a free-agent tryout with the Indiana Firebirds (Arena Football League) last March, before arriving in Albany and practicing with the Conquest during their 2002 Northeast Division Championship season. Yagi is one of three quarterbacks on the Albany roster, along with the leagueÂ’s top rated passer, Ryan Vena, and Rowan University graduate, Gus Ornstein, who is currently on the injured reserve list.
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