Jeff Retzlaff’s Inspirational Story: Mormon School Embraces its First Jew

By Hannah Zoller ‘26
Jake Retzlaff, a starting quarterback for Brigham Young University (BYU) football team, is the first-ever Jewish quarterback in the school’s history.

Retzlaff not only captured attention on the field, where he threw for 2,947 yards and 20 touchdowns during BYU’s 11-2 season, but also off the field, where he was able to bring Jewish teachings to a profoundly Mormon school.    
To help BYU publicize their first Jewish QB, the well-known Jewish food company Manischewitz signed Retzlaff to an NIL deal, placing the 21-year-old quarterback’s face on matzah boxes. 
Jake’s story had been trending across Jewish WhatsApp groups for months, so it was smart (from a marketing standpoint) to partner a proud Jewish athlete with one of the biggest Jewish food brands. 
For Retzlaff, the deal was more than just business: "Manischewitz has always been part of my life," Retzlaff said in a news release. "I grew up with matzah with peanut butter as my favorite snack, and every Passover, my family and I made matzah pizza together. At Hanukkah time, our tradition was making potato latkes."
Importantly, this partnership between Manischewitz and Retzlaff never could have happened without Eitan Levine, a New York-based Jewish writer and comedian who recognized the special potential of Retzlaff’s story. 
Levine already had connections with both Manischewitz and Retzlaff: "I did a video on Jake that went viral… I pitched Manischewitz, a web show they picked up. After the first season of the web show, I went back to them and said, 'we've got to give Jake an NIL deal,” Levine explained.
The deal immediately went viral, with dozens of prominent figures posting about the Jew QB, including ESPN's Adam Schefter. 
11th grader Isaac Jacobs also expressed that he “saw countless posts about Retzlaff which really hooked [him] into the story behind the talented QB.” Evidently, Retzlaff’s presence at BYU has sparked broader conversations about identity, acceptance, and unity. 
GOA junior Arielle Karni said, "While Retzlaff's unique story surfaced countless sports teams, it also inspired the Jewish community." 
His story has resonated deeply with students who see his success as a symbol of overcoming obstacles and embracing differences. For many, Retzlaff's story exemplifies how a person can bridge cultures. 
"Jake's story made me realize that any Jew can have a prominent role in a Mormon community or really any community, as long as everyone is willing to be accepting," GOA junior Henry Sacks added.
Consequently, Retzlaff has been able to regularly and publicly share his faith at BYU, giving teammates, coaches, and fans the opportunity to ask him about his Jewish heritage. His openness has helped foster a sense of understanding between communities that might have previously felt divided.
This exchange has been especially meaningful in light of the recent tensions surrounding the Palestinian war, where conversations about faith and cultural identity have become more relevant than ever.
While some may expect friction between BYU's Mormon atmosphere and Retzlaff's Jewish faith, the quarterback's experience has been of mutual respect and curiosity. His ability to navigate these two worlds—both on the football field and off—has set a powerful example for others.