ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The struggling Michigan Wolverines football program has a chance to save its season this weekend when it takes on the Northwestern Wildcats in the George Jewett Trophy rivalry game.
The 5-5 Wolverines, who are one game away from being bowl-eligible, have a chance to retain another trophy in its case as they’ll honor Jewett, the first African American football player to play Big Ten football.
Recommended Videos
Jewett graduated from Pioneer High School (formerly Ann Arbor High School) as valedictorian of his class in 1889. He was also an outstanding athlete who starred in baseball and football.
Jewett broke the color barrier in the Big Ten in 1890 by becoming the first African American football to play football at the University of Michigan.
The superstar athlete played fullback and tailback for the men in maize during his freshman season, excelling on the defensive side of the ball and as a placekicker.
The Swizz Army Knife helped guide the Wolverines to a near-perfect season, finishing with a 4-1 record.
Jewett didn’t attend school during the 1891 season, but that team was the first Michigan football program to lose five games in a season, finishing with a 4-5 record.
He returned during the 1892 season, starting every game in the backfield, to help the men in maize become the first team to finish with a 7-5 record and the first to reach the seven-win mark in program history.
During his time with the Wolverines, Jewett, who was achieving success, faced much ridicule due to the color of his skin as the Jim Crow laws were still in effect.
Some called Jewett the Jackie Robinson of the Wolverines football team.
Still, he was determined to lay the foundation for future African American athletes like Anthony Carter, Braylon Edwards, Denard Robinson, Mike Hart, national champion Blake Corum, and Heisman Trophy winners Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson.
Jewett transferred to Northwestern for two seasons after spending two seasons with the Wolverines while earning his medical degree.
This led to the announcement in 2021 that the winner of the Wolverines—Wildcats matchup would receive the George Jewett Trophy.
Saturday’s (Nov. 23) matchup is crucial, as the defending College Football Playoff champions need the victory to advance to a bowl game.
They’re currently the trophy holders, having beat Northwestern 33-7 in the inaugural game in 2021, so it’s safe to say Saturday’s game carries a lot of weight for Team 145.
