People who fly fish: Nnamdi Asomugha

Unless you live in California or are an NFL fanatic (I am guilty of both), you’ve probably never heard of Nnamdi Asomugha.

For those who haven’t heard of him, Asomugha is a defensive back for the Oakland Raiders.

For those who have heard of him -- did you know Asomugha is a fly fisherman?

Either did I, until I read this piece in ESPN The Magazine.

I knew the former Cal standout was active in the community, giving back to Bay Area kids and organizations like the East Oakland Youth Development Center. When you’re making $9.75 million a year, it’s easy to cut a check for a group and say you give to charity.

But Asomugha takes it a step further. He actually spends time with the kids he helps and even takes them on weekend fishing trips. Name another player who does that.

Last year, Asomugha took a group of underprivileged kids on a fishing trip to Lake Shasta.

This past summer, he took students on a two-day fly fishing excursion.

“I still say it was the best experience of my life,” Jamal Jackson, 14, said of the June getaway.

Opposing quarterbacks wish Asomugha was as charitable on the football field, where he has nine interceptions the past three seasons.

Photo courtesy Raiders.com