UCLA's Gyo Shojima

UCLA's Gyo Shojima is believed to be first Japanese-born player of full Japanese heritage to play in a major college football game

Gyo Shojima speaks to the news media on Wednesday. (@UCLAFootball / Twitter)

By Ben Bolch
Gyo Shojima doesn’t consider what he’s doing anything special. He’s just playing football, a game the UCLA center has loved since his freshman year at Redondo High.

Then again, second-string offensive linemen don’t usually field calls from Sports Illustrated or linger for a lengthy interview with reporters a few days after playing toward the end of what became a lopsided victory.

Shojima’s back story is what makes him unique. Although other players of Japanese descent have played college football, Shojima is believed to be the first player born in Japan of full Japanese heritage to participate in a Football Bowl Subdivision game after appearing late in the Bruins’ 42-21 victory over Nevada Las Vegas last Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

Maryland offensive lineman Maurice Shelton was also born in Japan, but he is of Japanese American descent.

Shojima’s back story is what makes him unique. Although other players of Japanese descent have played college football, Shojima is believed to be the first Japanese-born player to participate in a Football Bowl Subdivision game after appearing late in the Bruins’ 42-21 victory over Nevada Las Vegas on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-football-20160915-snap-story.html