Kevin Ma `25 and His Football Journey

In a nation where 83% of households watch at least a portion of one NFL game per week, it is difficult to imagine someone playing at the Division I level would find passion in the game any later than their early years. For sophomore defensive lineman Kevin Ma `25, it wasn't until his eighth grade year that he found out football was for him.

After focusing on his craft for four years, Ma received a call from Cornell. An offer to come play football. Ma committed on the spot, knowing, after only four years of playing the sport, that collegiate football was for him.

Ma is the son of two immigrant parents. His father immigrated in 1997, and his mom in 1998. He played violin for 11 years, switching to viola when he got too big, his sibling all played instruments, and he faced high expectations to succeed academically. He describes it as a “traditional Chinese upbringing”.

“There was this high expectation to achieve high and be disciplined," said Ma. "I think that's one of the things I'm really grateful for. Sure, it might have caused me a lot of mental stress when I was younger, but that pressure and that expectation really pushed me to achieve higher and push myself harder. My parents… were always trying to get me to be more disciplined, get me to be more proactive, getting me to be better.”

“[My parents] were always pushing me to be better so I could be a better person mainly academically, but in every aspect of my life, they really pushed me to be better."

It took seven years of school before Ma would be convinced to even consider trying to play football. Convincing him wasn't the hard part, though.

“My parents were pretty against it,” said Ma. “My mom was worried about injuries. I came in one afternoon after school, and I was like a little kid asking for a new toy. I kept asking them for the whole night, and by the end of the night they agreed.”

After they finally gave in, Ma got right to work. From the first time he set foot on the field, he fell in love with the sport and knew he wanted to make it his goal to play Division I football.

The summer before his senior year, his dreams would be realized. He received his offer from Cornell, and committed right away.

Not everyone's journey to football looks the same. Some start later than others. But here on East Hill, no matter how long you have played, your love for the game is the same.