Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Freeman and representation in their postseason runs — Andscape

The paths of Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton and Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman only crossed for one season in South Bend, Indiana, yet they both find themselves in a unique position this postseason.

A small percentage of the football population identifies as both Black and Asian American. In 2023, the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport reported that 0.1% percent of players in the NFL were Asian. The NCAA reported in 2024, that 1% of Division I head coaches across all sports were Asian.

Hamilton, whose Ravens play the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round on Sunday, and Freeman, whose Fighting Irish face Ohio State in the College Football Playoff national championship on Monday, are both representing their Black and Korean heritage proudly in their respective playoff runs.

“I think one, the success of anybody, any minority in a position of power is cool to see, especially at an institution like Notre Dame,” said Hamilton, who played at Notre Dame from 2019 to 2021. Freeman was defensive coordinator in South Bend during Hamilton’s junior year. “You know, it’s a predominantly white catholic school and to have a Black Korean head coach leading the team to the championship, it’s pretty cool when you step back and look at it.”

Freeman and Hamilton are two men doing what they love all while proving to the next generation of Black and Asian athletes that it’s possible. Freeman will make history as the first Black and Asian head coach to make it to the Football Bowl Subdivision national championship.

“If me being a Black and Asian head coach in the college football national championship gives others that opportunity, then that’s awesome,” Freeman said in a news conference Jan. 12. “I’ve always said this: I don’t want this to be about me. I want this to be about others, and others getting opportunities and our team.”

In September 2024, ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes and Hamilton connected on her podcast over their shared Korean heritage. They talked about growing up with Korean moms, Asian presence in the NFL and even had Freeman join as a guest.

“There was a moment where I think all of the Koreans kind of figured it out and were sort of rooting for Notre Dame, because you know how Koreans are, we figure out someone is Korean and we are in the tank for them, forever.” Kimes said on her show to both Hamilton and Freeman.

Said Freeman on the show: “You don’t meet just half-Korean, or Korean people every day. I remember when I got a chance to figure out Kyle’s background, you know now we have a common place, and understanding and I said, ‘we are both Blasians now,’ [I] was able to see pictures of his mom and showed him pictures of my mom and those are things that truly help you form a relationship.”

Kimes asked Freeman at what moment he realized Hamilton was “him.” His response? An unforgettable interception at Florida State. As Freeman is set to make history on Monday, Andscape asked Hamilton the inverse: Was there a specific moment he realized Freeman was a championship-level coach?

“I think from just Day 1 he kind of brought in a different energy and a standard when it came to defense, because he was only my defensive coordinator when I was there,” Hamilton said. “He created a bunch of things that we could latch onto throughout the year no matter what we’re struggling with, whether it be a saying or a quote. We would come in and out just put our heads down and work and he was working right with us and everybody on staff. I was just appreciative of that and that consistency.”

After his junior season at Notre Dame, Hamilton entered the 2022 NFL draft and was selected in the first round (No. 14 overall) by the Ravens. His first three seasons in the league have been a compilation of league and conference honors including PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in 2022, two Pro Bowl selections and a 2024 AP All-Pro selection.

But he left the Ravens practice facility on Wednesday sporting a navy backpack with the Notre Dame leprechaun. 

“…Just being [and feeling] prideful for my school, they made it to the championship,” Hamilton said. “I think they still have some work to do still; you know we’re not just satisfied going there, we need to win the game. Hopefully we get that done.”

Hamilton has used his platform to rep his Korean heritage, including adding a Korean flag sticker on the back of his helmet last season as a part of the NFL’s heritage initiative. 

“My mother is actually South Korean and was born there. [She] came to the states when she was about 13. Growing up, we were immersed in the culture, my brother and I,” Hamilton shared in a video on baltimoreravens.com. 

Freeman and Hamilton are a tale of a coach and player striving to excel, all while being examples of positive representation. Hamilton has spoken openly about the responsibility and opportunity to represent his heritage proudly. 

“It’s not something that I am always thinking about, but it’s something that I am always conscious of,” Hamilton said. “I know that, you know, many people may see me and see somebody that they can identify with in a lot of different cultures. It’s pretty cool to have that. Knowing that people of all ages, all races, can look to me and see somebody that they can aspire to be and it’s just a blessing to be in this position.”