Joseph John (Zap) Zapustas was born in Liepāja, Latvia of Lithuanian parents. In 1933, he also has a short stint as an outfielder with Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics major league baseball team.  This makes him a two-sport professional athlete, which is a true rarity.  To my knowledge, the first Latvia born NFL player and the only ever MLB player. 

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Marger (Megs) Apsit was born in Aurora, IL.  Both parents and an older sister were born in Latvia.  An extended article, written by Andis Robežnieks, can be found at https://www.cikaga.com/apsit.  

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Vilnis (Ezz) Ezeriņš family settled across the Illinois border in Union Grove, WI.  Ezeriņš was six years old when they immigrated to the United States.  He should not be confused with Leo Ezerins of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

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Paul Grasmanis played for the Chicago Bears from 1996 – 1999.  He was born in Grand Rapids, MI.  Markus Zušēvics joins Apsit as also having been born in the Chicago area.  He played college football for Iowa.   Nick Keizer was born in Portage, MI.

 

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