Jake Retzlaff, the quarterback for Brigham Young University, recently signed an NIL sponsorship deal with the kosher food company Manischewitz, becoming the first Jewish quarterback in program history. Retzlaff, who goes by the nickname “BYJew,” is one of only three Jewish students at the Latter-day Saints university. As the starting quarterback, Retzlaff has led the Cougars to a 10-2 record and is ranked No. 18 in the country, with impressive stats of 2,796 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Growing up with matzo as a staple in his household, Retzlaff expressed his excitement about the partnership with Manischewitz, sharing his family traditions of matzo snacks and latkes during Chanukah.
In a viral video, Retzlaff is seen doing football drills with a box of matzo, symbolizing the intersection of athletic achievement and cultural heritage. Manischewitz plans to release limited-edition Jake Retzlaff Matzo Boxes to celebrate this partnership, along with creating video content to showcase his connection to the brand on social media. Shani Seidman, the chief marketing officer of Kayco, Manischewitz’s parent company, expressed pride in welcoming Retzlaff into the Manischewitz family during the holiday season, highlighting how his partnership with the brand embodies a celebration of heritage and excellence in Jewish food. This unique partnership not only celebrates Jake Retzlaff’s football career but also promotes Jewish pride in unexpected ways.
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