Noriaki Kinoshita Noriaki Kinoshita ( , born December 29 , 1982 in Toyonaka , Osaka , Japan ) is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent . He was signed by the Amsterdam Admirals in 2005 . He played college football at Ritsumeikan . 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 . 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 Bowl s , 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 ) . 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 . 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 . 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 . On July 23 , 2008 , Kinoshita was assigned to the Falcons as an International Practice Squad player . Kinoshita is the only Japanese player of the 16 international players to sign onto NFL practice squads . 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 .