There are three Jewish college students (out of 35,743) enrolled in Brigham Younger College, a non-public school in Provo, Utah, run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And considered one of them occurs to be the soccer crew’s quarterback.
Jake Retzlaff, 21, led the BYU Cougars to a 10-2 report this season and gained press, reputation, and a doable Alamo bowl bid, alongside the way in which. He additionally garnered an endearing nickname, “BYJew,” one thing he makes use of himself, and the varsity, college students, and state of Utah have embraced its star participantāthey’re even promoting T-shirts.
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Now, with the Cougars ending the season ranked No. 17 within the AP Prime 25, Retzlaff has signed an NIL (Identify, Picture, and Likeness) cope with the Manischewitz, a Kosher meals firm.
Each events introduced the information in a video Thursday.
We’re proud to announce a collab that everybody noticed coming:@jretz11 (AKA: BYJew) & Manischewitz!
Jake made historical past this 12 months as the primary Jewish quarterback at Brigham Younger College. The world’s most well-known Jewish model, is thrilled to be sponsoring him on his journey! pic.twitter.com/lcUJA5eeRTā Manischewitz (@ManischewitzCo) December 4, 2024
The deal contains special-edition Retzlaff Matzo bins and the QB supporting the model on social media.
“Manischewitz has at all times been a part of my life,” Retzlaff mentioned, in an announcement. “I grew up with matzo with peanut butter as my favourite snack, and each Passover, my household and I made matzo pizza collectively. At Chanukah time our custom was making potato latkes. Now, at BYU, I will share these traditions with my teammates. This partnership is about greater than soccer ā it is about creating connections and celebrating Jewish satisfaction in methods I by no means anticipated.”
Manischewitz was based in 1888 in Ohio. The 136-year-old firm, now primarily based in New Jersey, manufactures conventional Jewish meals and kosher merchandise like macaroons, wine, and matzo.
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The deal doesn’t embrace Manischewitz wine, although, as many on social media have been fast to level out.
Consuming alcohol is strictly prohibited by BYU’s code of conduct. Guidelines embrace abstaining from intercourse outdoors marriage, alcoholic drinks, tobacco, vaping, marijuana, and even tea and low.
“We’re so proud to welcome Jake formally into the Manischewitz household this vacation season,” mentioned Shani Seidman, chief advertising and marketing officer of Kayco, the guardian firm of Manischewitz. “He’s such an inspiration, and we’re honored to help his thrilling soccer profession and dream. This partnership represents all the things the model aspires to beācelebrating our heritage and bringing consciousness to Jewish meals and excellence.”
The worth of Retzlaff’s NIL cope with Manischewitz has not been publicly disclosed, per Sportico.