Noriaki Kinoshita

, born December 29, 1982) is a Japanese football wide receiver who currently plays for the Obic Seagulls of the X-League. He was signed by the Amsterdam Admirals in 2005. He played college football for the Ritsumeikan Panthers.

Early life 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 Bowls, 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.

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.

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 As of May 2011, Kinoshita was playing for the Obic Seagulls in Japan's X-League. In 2019, he caught three touchdowns in Obic's 31–15 victory over IBM Big Blue in the Pearl Bowl and was named the game's MVP.

Statistics

Year Team GP GS Receiving Rushing Rec Yards YPC TD Att Yds Avg TD 2011 Obic Seagulls 12 12 37 667 18.0 8 7 47 6.7 0 2012 Obic Seagulls 14 14 49 917 18.7 10 8 72 9.0 1 2013 Obic Seagulls 12 12 49 831 17.0 10 3 −3 −1.0 0 2014 Obic Seagulls 12 12 57 1,016 17.8 12 2 2 1.0 1 2015 Obic Seagulls 10 10 23 379 16.5 3 1 2 2.0 0Total 60 60 215 3,810 17.7 43 21 120 5.7 2