Buffalo Bills football safety Taylor Rapp‘s journey in the NFL is more than just about football; it’s about breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes. Growing up in a world where his identity was often questioned, Rapp felt the sting of discrimination. Imagine the world of American hip hop, where artists like Childish Gambino and the late Nipsey Hussle carried the weight of their cultures. Pushing through to show that being different isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength. For Rapp, it was the same grind. 

With a Chinese-American mother from Shanghai and a Canadian father, Taylor always felt torn between cultures, but never quite accepted by either. Yet, when he sees fellow Asian-American athletes like Arizona’s QB, it’s a reminder that they both represent something bigger. A shift in what it means to ‘belong.’ As Rapp puts it, “Two Asian-Americans playing at the highest level” isn’t just a milestone. It’s proof that diversity deserves a seat at the table.

What is Taylor Rapp’s ethnicity?

Growing up, Taylor never embraced his mixed ethnicity. Born to Chinese-American parents, as a kid, he always felt out of place in his school. Rapp has always been candid about how he struggled with his mixed ethnicity growing up. “Every other kid had someone to look up to or relate to,” he said, pointing out how hard it was when there weren’t many Asian role models in sports for him.

Imagine being a kid who can’t find someone who looks like you, someone who shares that background. It’s like being in an endless loop of feeling disconnected. “Growing up I never really embraced my Asian culture and heritage as I feel I should have…,” recalled the Bills player. 

But then, in 2016, Rapp joined Washington University, and things started to shift for him. “But now I embrace it (his Asian heritage) more than ever. As you grow up you gain perspective – there were a lot more Asian-Americans when I went to college at ‘U Dub’ – but growing up in a small city you didn’t see a lot,” added Taylor. 

Even with all the challenges of racism, Rapp made a tremendous impact in his freshman year. He grabbed the MVP title in the 2016 Pac-12 Football Championship Game. 

Rapp’s stellar performance quickly earned him the top spot as Washington’s safety prospect, paving the way for him to declare for the 2019 NFL Draft. “I think [the attitude towards Asians] is starting to change. But there’s definitely a long way to go to change that narrative and perspective. It’s shifting a little bit but I want to be able to move the needle for Asians everywhere,” shared the Bills safety. 

What is Rapp’s nationality?

Rapp’s roots trace back to both Chinese-American and Caucasian backgrounds. But since he was born in Atlanta, Georgia, Taylor Rapp holds U.S. citizenship. After his birth, his parents moved to Bellingham, Washington, where Taylor grew up. But growing up wasn’t always easy.

The Asian part of him, his roots, became a source of ridicule. The slurs, the ‘Ch’ word—those were issues Taylor had to endure. We know bullies are cruel. And for Taylor, it was no different. But instead of letting the hate break him, Rapp used it as fuel to drive him forward. The way the Bills player sees it, he had to work twice as hard just to prove a point that Asians could play football, too.

Taylor Rapp had his eyes set on the first round when the 2019 NFL Draft rolled around. But when the Rams snatched him up in the second round (61st overall), he knew it was just the beginning. Stepping onto the grand stage of the NFL, Rapp was determined to prove that no matter where you come from, talent speaks louder than any label.

After a few seasons in LA, he packed his bags for Buffalo in 2023, bringing his defensive edge to the Bills. Now, with the Bills Rapp’s making his mark, showing that your background doesn’t define your success on the field.