Meet the 'Tokyo Toe' -- the NFL draft's most interesting kicker prospect
Why it matters: Matsuzawa's journey from Japanese tourist to NFL prospect is an unprecedented tale of determination.
- Kansei Matsuzawa, a 19-year-old Japanese tourist, discovered American football in 2018, sparking an audacious dream to become an NFL kicker despite having no prior knowledge of the sport.
- Matsuzawa's journey began after failing college entrance exams and feeling 'at rock bottom,' with a trip to the U.S. igniting his new path.
- He self-taught kicking techniques by studying NFL kickers like Jason Myers on YouTube and practiced secretly at night in a park in Japan.
- The 'Tokyo Toe' achieved an All-America season at Hawai'i, successfully making 27 of 29 field goal attempts, bringing his NFL dream within reach.
Kansei Matsuzawa, dubbed the 'Tokyo Toe,' has emerged as an improbable NFL draft prospect after a chance encounter with American football in 2018 transformed his life from rock bottom to an All-America season at Hawai'i. Despite no prior experience or Japanese NFL players, Matsuzawa's relentless self-training and dedication, inspired by kickers like Jason Myers, have positioned him on the cusp of achieving his audacious dream.
