Well now, you wouldn’t believe it, but in the world of the big ol’ NFL, there’s a good handful of Jewish folks who own teams, been playin’, or even coachin’. Some folks might not know it, but these Jewish folks have been part of the league for many years, right from back in the day when the NFL first got started. Y’see, it all started way back in 1933 when Jay Berwanger was the first player ever picked in the NFL draft, and yes sir, he was Jewish too! Since then, there’s been quite a few more Jewish folks involved in football, in all sorts of ways – as owners, players, and even coaches.
Now, if you take a look at the teams in the NFL, you’d find that there’s a good number of Jewish folks ownin’ them teams. In fact, out of all the 32 teams in the NFL, 8 of ‘em are owned by Jewish folks. That’s quite a big chunk when you think about it! A quarter of the teams in the whole league are owned by Jewish people, and each one of them is sittin’ pretty with a whole lotta money in the bank. Some of them are billionaires, wouldn’t you know it!
Take David Tepper, for example, the man who owns the Carolina Panthers. He’s one of them Jewish folks who’s got himself a team, and he’s been involved with football for quite some time now. And then there’s people like Sonny Werblin, who used to own the New York Jets, and Zygi Wilf, who’s the owner of the Minnesota Vikings. These folks have been part of the NFL for many years, and they’ve helped shape the league into what it is today.
But it ain’t just the owners who’ve had a hand in the NFL. No sir, there’s also been a fair number of Jewish players. Some of ’em might not be as famous as the big-name stars, but they’ve still made their mark. Take Jake Curhan, for instance. He’s an offensive tackle who joined the Chicago Bears after a spell with the Seattle Seahawks. He’s just one of the many Jewish players who’ve laced up their cleats and hit the field over the years.
Then there’s Greg Joseph, the placekicker. Now, I know you might not know his name too well, but he’s been around a few years. He’s been kickin’ field goals for the NFL, and though he ain’t one of the biggest names in football, he’s still doin’ his part out there on the field. It’s a bit different this season though, as there ain’t many Jewish players making it to the NFL rosters in 2024, but the ones who are out there still got that special spark in ‘em!
But now, you might be wonderin’, why is it that so many Jewish folks get involved in football? Well, it’s a mix of things, really. Some folks come from families that’ve been involved in sports for generations, others just have a love for the game. A lot of these Jewish owners and players grew up in places where football was a big part of the community, and that helped them get into the game. Football ain’t just about big hits and touchdowns – it’s about tradition and community, and that’s somethin’ that resonates with a lot of Jewish families.
And while it might not be something folks talk about every day, the influence of Jewish folks in the NFL is somethin’ that’s been around for a long time. From the first draft pick, Jay Berwanger, all the way to the current crop of players and owners, Jewish folks have had a hand in every part of the game. And who knows? Maybe we’ll see more of ‘em making their mark in the future!
So next time you’re watchin’ a game or hearin’ about a new team owner, remember that there’s a whole bunch of Jewish folks out there who’ve helped shape the NFL. Whether they’re runnin’ the team or runnin’ down the field with the ball, they’ve got a place in this big ol’ world of football, and it’s a place that’s been earned through hard work and passion. So here’s to all them folks, both past and present, who’ve made the NFL what it is today!
Tags：[Jewish NFL owners, NFL, Jewish players, football, NFL teams, Jewish athletes, David Tepper, Zygi Wilf, Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, Chicago Bears, Jewish sports history]
