BHM: George Jewett, Michigan Man
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.
February 6th, 2015 at 8:25 AM ^
Great Story.
Why would someone neg the OP for this?
February 6th, 2015 at 8:34 AM ^
Haha--I had the same thought. I've never used "smh" in an internet comment before, but that was the first thing that popped into my mind. I can't think of a more appropriate reponse in this case.
February 6th, 2015 at 9:18 AM ^
the fact that it is Friday and I am totally checked out but your question of why would someone neg this made me think of this gem:
February 6th, 2015 at 8:26 AM ^
Thanks OP
February 6th, 2015 at 8:28 AM ^
Why are you racist? *chuckles*
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.
February 6th, 2015 at 8:38 AM ^
I'm very much against the Michigan Man mantra, that's all
February 6th, 2015 at 8:47 AM ^
but I don't think that is a good reason to downvote this post. It is informative, relevant and strikes me as one that ought to be told. If hearing "Michigan Man" bothers you fine, but it looks tacky to downvote a post like this.
February 6th, 2015 at 8:50 AM ^
WD has a lot of relevant posts too. He gets bombed every post. People may have a grudge against WD and some people just don't like posts about socks and gloves.
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.
February 6th, 2015 at 8:54 AM ^
That's all well and good, but why not say that instead of the eerily racist looking neg on the OP? Seems super MGoGetOffMyPorch
February 6th, 2015 at 10:35 AM ^
To quote your own words:
"Every fan base has their loonies."
February 6th, 2015 at 10:45 AM ^
MGoSteelers: maybe you should have played it this way:
"I'm sorry. The air in Pittsburgh is so bad today that I can hardly see. I was trying to upvote the OP and it somehow downvoted instead."
February 6th, 2015 at 10:50 AM ^
This is an incredibly parochial beef.
February 11th, 2015 at 12:58 PM ^
your neg also became the topic of conversation for this thread instead of celebrating an exceptional individual. It's fair if you want to make a statement, but keep in mind there are certain consequences--intended and unintended.
February 6th, 2015 at 8:37 AM ^
More like "MGoGTFO"....amirite??
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.
February 6th, 2015 at 9:08 AM ^
He played halfback, fullback, and was the kicker too. He is also a distant relative of Michigan graduate and former cornerback Courtney Avery.
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).
February 6th, 2015 at 7:35 PM ^
Thanks for posting it. I enjoy reading about the distant history of the U of M and find threads like this a refreshing change-of-pace from the norm.
February 6th, 2015 at 10:29 AM ^
Interesting though is he was a medical student but didn't practice medicine
He didn't like dealing with health insurance companies. /s
February 6th, 2015 at 9:13 AM ^
I'm joking of course. Thanks for the history lesson homie.
February 6th, 2015 at 10:14 AM ^
I thought maybe this was downvoted cause everyone should already know the story. But I think Steelers is really just a Klan member.
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.
February 6th, 2015 at 10:55 AM ^
Uhhhhh you kinda need to brush up on Willis Ward, Gerald Ford's teammate, and the debacle with Georgia Tech. Google is your friend.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
February 6th, 2015 at 11:45 AM ^
Thanks I will. were all grown here why so much sarcasm?
February 6th, 2015 at 12:20 PM ^
Or the 1970's if you're most of the SEC schools.
February 6th, 2015 at 11:10 AM ^
Is Jewett Ave in Ann Arbor named after him?
February 6th, 2015 at 11:41 AM ^
Any historians here to confirm?
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.