The Impressive NFL Journey of Younghoe Koo
It’s no surprise that the National Football League (NFL) continues to dominate TV ratings. But with the regular season officially over you may be surprised to learn that Younghoe (pronounced Young-Way) Koo, a Korean-born kicker for the Atlanta Falcons, led the league in total points scored. Here’s a list of seven things you should know about Younghoe Koo.
#1: First Things First: He Led the League in Scoring
Koo was tied for first the 2020 season with 144 total points scored. His breakout season led to his first Pro Bowl selection.
#2: If At First You Don’t Succeed: Koo Has Grit
Koo’s current stint in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons is actually his second time in the league. He initially entered the league in 2017 but, after a rocky start, was out of the league in 2018. It’s a good thing that he stuck with it.
#3: Field Goal
noun
AMERICAN FOOTBALL, a goal scored by a placekick, scoring three points.
This year, Koo set an Atlanta Falcons franchise record with 37 made field goals, two more than the previous record.
#4: From South Korea to the United States
Koo is one of four NFL players born in South Korea. The most notable of the other three? Two-time Super Bowl winner Hines Ward.
Koo’s family moved to Ridgewood, NJ, when he was in 6th grade. Koo played on the football team for Ridgewood High School and was named team MVP his senior season.
#5: Career High in 2020
In Week 12 of the 2020 season, Koo made a career high five field goals, which contributed to him being named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November.
#6: The Kick that Went Viral
Before he was kicking field goals in the NFL he was impressing college scouts with this viral video:
#7: Lucky Number 7
Koo may wear #7 but it was all skill when he successfully made nearly 95% percent of his field goal attempts. Congratulations on your historic season, Koo!
