BHM: George Jewett, Michigan Man

Submitted by M Go Cue on

In honor of Black History Month I would like to share the story of George Jewett. In 1890 he became the University of Michigan's first black football player.  I believe it has been a couple years since his name has come up here and for the new visitors and old his story is a great one.  

Jewett spoke 4 languages, was a medical student, and a superb athlete.  He went on to become a successful businessman and respected member of the Ann Arbor community.  George Jewett seemed to fit the definition of what it means to be a Michigan Man.  Here is a Michigan Daily story about him from 2012.

http://michigantoday.umich.edu/a8143/

mGrowOld

February 6th, 2015 at 8:29 AM ^

I said to myself when I opened up this thread "who in the hell downvotes this?"  Which part of the post are they against?

Then I saw it - a fucking Pittsburgh Steelers fan and it all made sense.

Michigasling

February 6th, 2015 at 8:57 AM ^

which isn't applicable here.  Here it's used to mean someone we're proud of, someone who represents what's good about the University.  That other use of the phrase, over-used in a period we'd like to forget in a way we'd like to forget, meant prejudicial exclusivity.  George Jewett's story is a reminder that prejudicial exclusivity is not a part of Michigan's tradition.

west2

February 6th, 2015 at 8:55 AM ^

Interesting though is he was a medical student but didn't practice medicine. Also what position did he play?  Or should I say positions as back then most players were 2 way players.

LSAClassOf2000

February 6th, 2015 at 10:08 AM ^

I believe his great grandson is the Operations Manager at WEMU actually - Michael Jewett. He also hosts the afternoon program on the station, as I recall. Coleman Jewett, George's grandson, was a frequent customer at Washtenaw Dairy and the assistant principal at Tappan at one point and was big into local history (I watched them film a 2009 interview of townies at the library actually).

MichiganPoloShirt

February 6th, 2015 at 10:44 AM ^

This is the first time I've heard of George Jewett and this is a great post. its black history month so this piece of history needs to be known, cause to be honest I didn't think they would let a black man on the Michigan football team before the fifty's or sixty's.

drtpushr

February 6th, 2015 at 8:10 PM ^

Thanks for sharing that M Go Cue. What a great story. Love hearing about the history of some of the men that contibuted to the winningest team ever.