University of Dayton Athletics

Walter Achiu was born on August 3, 1902 in Honolulu, Hawaii.  Achiu’s father was Chinese and his mother was Hawaiian.  Achiu, while at Dayton, was a three sport star athlete.  He participated in varsity football, baseball, and track.  He made a name for himself through football and his running back skills and abilities.  While at UD, he acquired the nickname, “Sneeze”, due to the pronunciation of his last name.

Achiu would go on to a career in the National Football League after he graduated from UD.  He played for the Dayton Triangles in 1927 and 1928.  He was the first Asian to play in the NFL.  He rushed for 27 yards in 11 games as a pro and caught two passes for 17 yards total.  Achiu holds a very special spot in NFL history.  Sneeze Achiu not only was the first player of Chinese descent to play in the NFL, but he has been the ONLY Chinese player to play in the NFL.  After Achiu’s NFL career, he became a well know professional wrestler.  Achiu passed away on March 21, 1989