Scott Anthony Fujita (pronounced /fuːˈdʒiːtə/;[1] born April 28, 1979 in Ventura, California) is an American football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at California.
Fujita has also played for the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints.
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[edit]Early years
Although Fujita's last name is Japanese, he is Caucasian, and he is the adopted son of Rodney Fujita, who is Japanese-American, and his wife Helen, who is Caucasian.[2][3] His father was one of the Japanese-Americans interned during World War II; his father's family was held at the Gila River War Relocation Center.[4]
Fujita grew up in a traditional Japanese household, celebrating Japanese festivals and holidays, and eating with chopsticks. His grandparents have several bonsai trees on their property. Because of his upbringing, he considers himself to be culturally half-Japanese.
He attended Rio Mesa High School in Oxnard, California.
[edit]Professional career
[edit]Kansas City Chiefs
Fujita was drafted in the 5th round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He played 3 seasons with them.
[edit]Dallas Cowboys
Fujita signed with the Dallas Cowboys for the 2005 season.
[edit]New Orleans Saints
On March 13, 2006, Fujita signed with the Saints, reuniting with his former position coach as well as offensive coordinator (now head coach Sean Payton). He was the first free agent to join the Saints when they returned to New Orleans after their year-long absence in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.[5] In 2006, as part of a Monday Night Football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Saints teammateMike McKenzie introduced Fujita as the "Asian Assassin." Fujita has also been known, upon making a big tackle or sack, to cover his right fist with his left palm and bow—a gesture inspired by the yin-yang symbol. Fujita was named defensive captain of the 2007 Saints. In Week 1 of the 2008 season, Fujita caught a crucial game-winning interception in the very end against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the 2009 season, he earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the Saints team that won Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 to win the team's first league championship.
[edit]Cleveland Browns
Fujita was a free agent after the 2009 season, and on March 7, 2010, he signed a contract worth $14 million over three years, including $8 million in guaranteed money, with the Cleveland Browns.[6] In September he was elected one of the Browns' defensive captains for the 2010 season.[7] Through nine games, Fujita was second on the team in tackles and sacks, but he was injured in a November 14 game against the New York Jets and was expected to be out of action for an extended period.[8]
[edit]Personal life
Fujita is married with two children; he and his family have a home in Carmel Valley, California.[5] He is politically liberal, and has gone on record as a supporter of abortion rights and gay rights as well as an advocate for adoption, wetlands preservation, and other causes; he was named the Saints "Man of the Year" in 2009 for his charitable activities.[9][10][11] By Wikapedia
