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'The Beast' slays Japanese hearts
From Rebecca MacKinnon, CNN Tokyo Bureau Chief
TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- Meet Japan's most popular American. He failed as a NFL football player and also as a professional wrestler, but now Bob Sapp has found himself a Japanese superstar -- with a best-selling rap video and CD. "I think the first time I was really shocked was when they told me how much the autograph was going for, " the former Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman said. "That was U.S.$10,000 dollars and that's when I went, 'you've got to be kidding me!'" Is Sapp now a rapper? No, he is 'The Beast' -- a K-1 fighter and star of a sport that combines boxing, Asian martial arts and kickboxing. Japanese fans love his dramatic fighting style, not only when he wins but also when he loses. Sapp has become regular feature on Japanese TV, appearing in commercials promoting everything from DVD players to fabric softener. With endless product endorsements, talk shows and advertising contracts, nothing seems beneath this mountain of a man. Beyond the usual T-shirts, action figures and video games, the marketing potential seems endless. Shops sell Bob Sapp mouse pads, 'The Beast' apple crunch and even special Bob Sapp Japanese rice crackers. So what is it about this guy that the Japanese love so much? "He is huge, but he seems very gentle," a female fan told CNN. "He reminds me of a samurai," a young male fan said. Bob speaks almost no Japanese, so he communicates mainly with facial expressions, and his life story does have universal appeal. "I've suffered many, many ups and downs in my life. And so does everyone. And the thing is to always know, with this down, the only place you can go is up," Sapp said. From unemployed athlete to millionaire, Sapp has certainly hit Japan's commercial jackpot.
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