Noriaki Kinoshita

Noriaki Kinoshita (木下 典明, Kinoshita Noriaki), born December 29, 1982) is a Japanese football wide receiver who currently plays for the Obic Seagulls of the X-League. He was signed by the Amsterdam Admirals in 2005. He played college football for the Ritsumeikan Panthers.

Noriaki Kinoshita
No. 18 – Obic Seagulls
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1982-12-29) December 29, 1982
Osaka, Japan
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:179 lb (81 kg)
Career information
College:Ritsumeikan
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • All-NFL Europe (2006)
  • Japan X Bowl MVP award (2011)
  • X-League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award (2012–2013)
  • All X-League Team (2012–2014)
  • Pearl Bowl MVP award (2012, 2014)
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com
Noriaki Kinoshita
Medal record
Men’s American football
Representing  Japan
World Championship
2011 AustriaTeam Competition
2015 USATeam Competition

Early years

Kinoshita began playing American football at the age of five, demonstrating early talent. He played in various positions: quarterback, running back, receiver, defensive back and on special teams, before settling as receiver at Ritsumeikan University, after his coach advised him that he would have the best chance in making the team if he stuck with that position.[1]

College career

He attended Ritsumeikan University, where he majored in business administration and was a standout wide receiver for the Ritsumeikan Panthers. He helped his team reach four Koshien Bowls, winning three, and helping the Panthers win 2 out of those 3 Rice Bowl (Japanese championship) games. He earned Koshien Bowl honors three times (Mills Cup, MVP, NFL Special Award).[2][3][4][5]

Professional career

Amsterdam Admirals

He struggled throughout the 2005 season due to an injury early on (broken finger), and difficulties with English conversation and crowd noise. He posted one reception for 12 yards and 21 yards on a single kickoff return. He was a member of the Admirals team that won the first World Bowl in their franchise history; World Bowl XIII.[1][5]

Kinoshita had a standout season in 2006, helping the Amsterdam Admirals ascend to a World Bowl XIV berth for the second year in a row. He led NFL Europa on kickoff returns with an average of 27.9 for a total of 530 yards in 19 attempts with a long of 82 yards, in addition to a 59-yard punt return for a touchdown as well as 12 receptions for a total of 188 yards as a receiver. He was named Special Teams Player of the Week twice and selected to the all-NFL Europa team 2006 as special teams player.[6][7][8]

He returned to the Amsterdam Admirals for his third NFL Europa season. In 2007, Kinoshita led NFL Europa with a 15.9-yard punt return average and ranked third with a 23.2-yard kickoff-return average. He also added 23 receptions for 364 yards and two touchdowns in what would be the final season of NFL Europa.

Atlanta Falcons

On June 28, Kinoshita signed with his favorite team, the Atlanta Falcons, and competed throughout training camp for a roster spot. "I am very excited to compete at the Falcons' training camp with other great players," says Kinoshita. "It is exciting as a Japanese player to compete with American players, and I want to appeal to the fans in Atlanta. At the same time, I want to show the Japanese people how exciting the great game of football is." He was released by the Falcons at the end of training camp.[9]

On July 23, 2008, Kinoshita was assigned to the Falcons as an International Practice Squad player.[9] Kinoshita is the only Japanese player of the 16 international players to sign onto NFL practice squads.[10]

New York Sentinels

Along with players such as Adam Archuleta and B. J. Sams, Kinoshita was drafted in the first ever UFL draft by the New York Sentinels.

Obic Seagulls

Kinoshita currently (as of May 2011) plays for the Obic Seagulls in Japan's X-League.

Statistics
YearTeamGPGSReceivingRushing
RecYardsYPCTDAttYdsAvgTD
2011Obic Seagulls 12123766718.087476.70
2012Obic Seagulls 14144991718.7108729.01
2013Obic Seagulls 12124983117.0103-3-1.00
2014Obic Seagulls 1212571,01617.812221.01
2015Obic Seagulls 10102337916.53122.00
Total60602153,81017.743211205.72
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References
  1. World Bowl XIV interview.
  2. Boxscore of 2004 championship game.
  3. Koshien Bowl scores.
  4. Rice Bowl scores.
  5. Ritsumeikan University Interview
  6. ALL-NFL Europe League Team 2006.
  7. 2006 NFL Europe stats.
  8. NFL Europe 2006 leaderboard.
  9. Atlanta Falcons Player Page.
  10. ESPN IPS players announced.
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