It takes courage to reach and achieve your dreams. It takes even more courage and support to walk away from something others would love to have. For third-year College student Nana Appouh, going after his goals and aspirations meant leaving the Virginia football team and trying something brand new — content creation.
Under the pen name “Certified Yapper,” Appouh has amassed over 36,800 followers and 4.8 million likes in just seven months. From the get-go, his content has been centered around him just sharing what is on his mind, from the dramatic woes of Monopoly to the annoyances of app updates. Most importantly, though, Appouh is a beacon for support for sports communities, reaching the screens of millions of athletes as a friendly face who values all of their hard work.
Appouh gained recognition as a football player after being featured in a 2022 Washington Post article about the unexpected turnaround of the Herndon High School football team after a 28-game losing streak. He never wanted to play football himself, but at 6-foot-3 and 307 pounds, Appouh was pressured to join the team due to his size. With Appouh on the roster, the Herndon Hornets went on to end the season with a winning record of 6-5.
“I started playing football my senior year. I never really liked football. I was basically forced to do it,” Appouh said.
From his success with the Hornets and the exposure from The Washington Post article, Appouh started to gain attention from universities. After talking with his high school coach, William Bachman, Appouh decided to go to college where he could get the best opportunity in the classroom exchange for playing — and to him, Virginia football provided that opportunity. He joined the Cavaliers as a preferred walk-on during his first year for the 2023 season.
Even at a collegiate level, Appouh’s passion for the sport was still lacking. He said that when he arrived on Grounds for summer training, he was miserable. Compared to his teammates on scholarships, Appouh got less opportunities, specifically less access to sponsorship deals via Name, Image and Likeness rights. Appouh said that the early morning lifting sessions, practices and the responsibilities of being a full-time student became too much to handle in exchange for a sport that he did not enjoy, and it began to take a toll on his mental health. However, the fear of disappointing his team and coaches by walking away kept him on the field.
“I always wanted to quit, but I was scared of disappointing the people that got me here,” Appouh said.
In the end, it was his teammates who pushed him to leave for his mental health and happiness, sharing their support and love regardless of whether he was on the roster or not. In January, Appouh officially left the team and he has not looked back.
“I made a decision [to do] what’s best for my life,” Appouh said. “I can't be sad doing what I don't like. I decided to stop playing, and life has been great ever since.”
Free from the field and the pressures that came with it, Appouh turned to finding a new purpose that would bring him joy. An avid TikTok user, he had always wanted to try making videos himself, but he was afraid of what his coaches would think of content that may feature strong language.
In May, Appouh officially started his TikTok account. Each video includes Appouh with a mini-microphone and half his face visible on the screen as he shares any thoughts he may have, ranging from discussing his struggles while playing pickleball, lamenting on Virginia’s irregular weather or to dishing out “hot-takes.”
While his array of content is seemingly random, Appouh is not focused on views or traction, rather just saying what is on his mind as it comes to him. His content creation is focused on what he wants and what makes him happy — this formula creates an authentic and relatable atmosphere, in what is often deemed a superficial online environment.
“I never think about the views because I love what I'm saying,” Appouh said. “I just spill anything … so if an idea comes to my head to make a video, I make it that instant.”
As a University student himself, some of Appouh's content resonates with many students across Grounds. While student life is not the main focus of his content, Appouh has made several TikToks discussing the University’s oddities, such as having class on Labor Day or the sheer number of students that graduated at the top of their high school class.
By far, though, a large portion of the content he creates is related to sports, specifically ones that are underrepresented. As a former Division I athlete himself, he recognizes how much work and commitment is put into high-level collegiate athletics. Appouh believes all athletes should be recognized for their athletic prowess, regardless of what sport they play. His shout-outs to these under-praised sports has led his fanbase to be both students and celebrities alike.
“In July, I started showing appreciation for sports that don't get appreciated, like field hockey, rowing and all that,” Appouh said. “I started mentioning U.Va. rowing, and I remember one of the players commented.”
Other notable fans of Appouh’s content include Olympic gymnasts Suni Lee and Simone Biles. While he enjoys receiving likes from such prominent athletes, Appouh said he is most grateful for the interactions he has on social media in which he has the opportunity to have an impact on others. He hopes to reach younger student-athletes who may feel the same pressure on the field as he did, and let them know that it is okay to walk away.
“I never started with the intent of being famous or known … I went through football and I hated every second of it, so I know there are kids out there doing [a sport], knowing they don't like it, but feel like they have to,” Appouh said.
While his content has become a resource for younger athletes struggling to find enjoyment in their sport, Appouh also cherishes the support he receives from those around him — especially his former coach and teammates. His former football teammates were early followers, reposting his TikToks and encouraging his work.
For Appouh, his biggest supporter both on the field and off, though, is Bachman, his former football coach from Herndon High School. Since his senior year in high school, Bachman and his wife have been like family. Appouh said he was grateful for the support and resources Bachman and his family have provided over the years throughout his journey from star football player to content creator.
“I go over to his house all the time. Most of the stuff I own, my clothes and my bed sheets, they buy for me.” Appouh said.
Although he did not start his account to influence people, Appouh has gone on to be the voice he wished he heard all along — one that told him to chase his own version of happiness. Now, his life and content creation are centered around the joy he can bring others.
“It's always about what you can do for somebody, not what you can do for yourself. That's how I live my life,” Appouh said. “You're not always gonna be here, but your legacy and your impact on somebody's life is always going to last forever.”
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