Immigrants in American Sports
Nothing brings together people from all walks of life quite like the crack of a bat, the squeak of a court, or the thump of a tackle. Sports are a uniting force in our country and across the world. It’s a huge industry, bringing in over $70 billion a year in generated revenue to the United States.
Notable athletes from across the world come together to delight, entertain, and stir up emotions in the American people. You may be surprised where some of your favorite players hail from. Below are five notable sports stars that immigrated to America:
PATRICK EWING
Sport: Basketball
Team: New York Knicks
Position: Center
Birthplace: Jamaica
Born in Kingston, Ewing has received innumerable awards and accolades celebrating his athletic abilities. He was recognized by the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s Pride of America program, which seeks to honor the contributions of notable American immigrants. He joined the Hall of Fame in 2008, following a career in which he was named an All-Star 11 times and played on the first Olympic basketball team.
TONY PARKER
Sport: Basketball
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Position: Point Guard
Birthplace: Belgium
Belgian point guard Tony Parker got his start in Bruges before spending his high school years in France. Drawing inspiration from the rise of Michael Jordan’s basketball career, Parker was asked to join the INSEP (National Institute of Sports, Expertise, and Performance) where he honed his skills on the court. After signing with Paris Basket Racing, France’s premier basketball league, he was asked to visit America for a sport’s summit. His performance prompted a recruiting war, and eventual draft into the NBA.
Parker has been named an NBA All-Star six times. He still stands as the all-time leader in assists for the San Antonio Spurs, as well as earning his right to stand amongst the All-Star Shooting Stars team after shooting a half-court shot in record time.
YOENIS CESPEDES
Sport: Baseball
Team: New York Mets
Position: Left Field
Birthplace: Cuba
“La Potencia” was born in Campechuela, the son of an Olympian softball pitcher and a former Cuban League Catcher. After defecting from Cuba in 2011 to escape a tightening Communist regime, Cespedes established residency in the United States and became an unrestricted free agent. From there, he has played with the Boston Red Sox, the Detroit Tigers, and the New York Mets.
Cespedes was named American League Rookie of the Month in 2012. He has been named MLB All-Start twice, won the Rawlings Glove Award in 2015, and the Silver Slugger Award in 2016. He leads in assists as an outfielder and total zone runs at left field.
JOSE ALTUVE
Sport: Baseball
Team: Houston Astros
Position: Second Base
Birthplace: Venezuela
Six-time MLB All-Star Jose Altuve began his career at a Houston Astros’ tryout camp in his hometown of Maracay, Venezuela. There, he was signed by scouts as an undrafted free agent despite a rocky start wherein officials thought he was too short and too young to participate.
Altuve immigrated to the United States the following year, quickly making his way through rookie leagues until being promoted to the major leagues in 2011. In the same year, he became the first Astros player since 2003 to hit an inside-the-park home run since 2003 and the first Astros player to lead off a game with an inside-the-park home run since 1987.
His list of awards is extensive and includes five All-Stars, six Players Choice, and being named as Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year. Perhaps most humorously, though, is the creation of a measurement called the “OSLA,” or Official Standard Listed Altuves. Altuves, who stands at 5’6”, is the shortest current MLB player and announcers often poked fun at “how many Altuves” a home run traveled. The joke is so pervasive that there’s even an online calculator!
MORTEN ANDERSEN
Sport: Football
Team: Most notably, the New Orleans Saints
Position: Kicker
Birthplace: Denmark
Andersen, often referred to as “Great Dane,” was born in Copenhagen and raised in Struer, both in Denmark. He trained as a gymnast and long jumper before traveling to the United States in an exchange program. During his one season of football, he impressed scouts so much that he was granted a Michigan State University Scholarship.
Andersen’s legacy is one of place kicking greatness. During his time with the New Orleans Saints, he kicked 302 field goals, scored 1,318 points, and was named to six Pro Bowls. After leaving the Saints and joining the Atlanta Falcons, he proved his prowess once again after becoming the first person in NFL history to kick three field goals of over 50 yards in a single game.
AMERICAN IMMIGRANTS HELP BUILD THE FOUNDATION OF AMERICAN SPORTS
Tightening immigrant guidelines could mean missing out on opportunities to bring talent and innovation to the world of sports. Just as American immigrants in STEM fields bring knowledge and expertise in the areas of education, research, and development, immigrants in sports bring with them undeniable talent and skills that only contribute to our enjoyment of America’s greatest pastimes.