How Jewish Quarterback Jake Retzlaff Landed at Mormon School BYU | The Rich Eisen Show

[@tictocbang7443]

Jewish here. We live down the street from BYU. Best place we have ever lived. Our neighbors are our family. Go BYU!

[@jonsimilien8606]

Hey how is this qb allowed to play on Saturdays

[@horizonz8744]

​@@jonsimilien8606 same way LDS players can play in the NFL on sundays

[@jonsimilien8606]

@@horizonz8744 but Jews abide by the Shabbat right ? Where they aren’t supposed to use any technology and focus on god right or am I wrong ?

[@horizonz8744]

@jonsimilien8606 your right. That is a common practice, but at the end of the day, everyone decides for themselves how strictly they follow their belief system or how they apply certain ideas. For instance, Taysom Hill is an LDS NFL player, and we believe that we should keep the Sabbath Day holy and should avoid making it a common day, which for many means avoiding work on Sunday. At the end of the day, how someone else worships or goes about keeping the sabbath or shabbat is between them and God.

[@thohangst]

@@jonsimilien8606 Think of it as extenuating circumstances. The program is in the mire. Man, I slay me.

[@DK412724]

I am LDS and grew up in Jewish neighborhood. My best friends were all Jewish and I attended multiple Bar Mitzvahs. I later attended BYU and now the Jewish connection has been restored! Huge fan of Jake and rooting him to continue to have an amazing season.

[@leonoranicolaysen2784]

Same here.

[@treycox706]

BYU fan here. We love our Jewish QB. He came up with the nickname and has encouraged the fan base to refer to him as the BYJew and the fan base loves it. (Not a slur or anything even remotely negative) In the LDS church there is a general feeling of respect and gratitude to the Jews for their efforts in persevering the holy scriptures. And being the covenant people of the Lord. (2nd Nephi chapter 29) Glad you’re only a Jr Jake, excited to see you continue to progress and hopefully bring back to back dominate seasons in the big 12 to BYU!

[@brettlarsen6111]

WE LOVE YOU JAKE! turning into one of the best QBs in BYU history!

[@NewJerseyJets22]

Glad you came!

[@loumos8364]

This is a BYU guy. He reps. his faith so well and BYU in every way that matters!

[@rambomoore381]

One of the best? Hmmm... you have Steve Young, Detmer, Sarkesian, McMahon, Bosco, Max Hall, Jaren Hall, Beck, Doman, Z. Wilson, Neilsen, Taysom Hill, etc. Don't get carried away

[@Clarkperry14]

@@rambomoore3818-0

[@RohoSombrero]

@@rambomoore381, yep, he’s one of the best. None of those guys won 9 games (so far) in a P4 conference.

[@nealljones]

Unlike many college campuses, Jake doesn't have to worry about anti-Semitic protests. BYU is welcoming of other faiths.

[@robertberardy405]

I think it sounds funny that the BYU QB is Jewish, but the fact is LDS don't have any animosity towards the Jews. I've been LDS 70 years and and the general feeling is that we are like cousins almost. Of course, that feeling isn't mutual from the Jewish community, but that doesn't really seem to make a difference.

[@makscho1]

@@robertberardy405 absolutely I agree. A lotta love for our Jewish brothers and sisters.

[@matthewholmes899]

Is it? Really? (I am a BYU grad)

[@bbg9585]

@@robertberardy405 True. BYU also has a study abroad center in Jerusalem (it's currently closed due to the ongoing conflict in the area). And they teach a religion class about Judaism that students can take as an elective.

[@nealljones]

@@matthewholmes899 Jake doesn't seem to be having a horrible time. Instead, he reports feeling supported and respected. Jake reports being able to practice his Judaism in a way that he is entirely comfortable. UCLA, Columbia, and now U of Minnesota are have staged anti-Semitic riots. BYU? Nothing. A much safer place for Jewish students than most extremely liberal, in some cases even anti-Semitic, campuses.

[@TroyHooper]

As a huge BYU fan, and Rich Eisen Show fan, thank you for having Jake on. You guys rock!

[@FriendlyStripedTiger]

Jake you are awesome! Breaking down preconceived barriers is what we need now more than ever

[@toyguyty8557]

My brother was a starting safety at BYU and we all love Jake! LDS beliefs honor the various tribes of Israel!

[@natedog4497]

The what lmaoooo

[@schristiansen3151]

@@natedog4497 Google is your friend. 😉

[@dylanroberts8478]

I like it, I like how he says he has been able to grown in his own faith too.

[@stone5stone]

As a member of the faith, we are PROUD to have Jake represent BYU!

[@russlyman4851]

There is actually a small BYU Center in Jerusalem. The Mormon church has always loved the Jewish religion and its traditions.

[@caleblarsen5490]

Jake is the real deal. Love this guy.

[@Sev7nsBaseball]

Jake is such a stud. I love that he can be a member of another faith and not tear down the faith of his fellow teammates and school. Great to see a focus on coming together rather than dividing.

[@jense1ca]

Way to represent Jake! BYU sure loves this guy!

[@captainbilly9443]

As a former Mormon who has converted to the Jewish faith of of my Ashkenazi and Sephardi forbearers, I am nearly giddy with the Retzlaff led BYU football team. I mean, I have always been a fan of BYU Football, but this year has been magnificent, and to say that I, a 6'4" 395 lb former defensive tackle, am "giddy," is something.

[@joewall7663]

We love Jake!! Absolutely epic!! We are blessed to have athletes of the HIGHEST CHARACTER, they are wonderful to listen too and watch them lead.

[@kentjensen4939]

Just watch, Jewish college students from all over the country being persecuted for their beliefs will try to transfer to BYU after hearing how well Retzlaff has been received. Latter day Saints are fellow Israelites of the tribe of Ephriam.

[@Gearthirty]

… and other tribes.

[@JakeC222]

Prosecuted lol. I went to college and I'm half Jewish, there was no anti-semitism at all. They are protesting Israel's genocide of Palestinians.

[@travisanderson1284]

Utah fan, in Texas. Respect to this young man. He's a baller

[@FalainglesBrasil9395]

So much ignorance about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from members of the media. Good to have a member of the Jewish faith drop some knowledge on them for us.

[@brebarbur]

Sure am enjoying the rise of Jake Retzlaff at QB U. Great finish this week! However, I agree. Too much ignorance and a shame it isn’t more obvious how intertwined the history of the two faiths really are. When Jake said he being there was bringing together two communities that don’t have any business being together he couldn’t be further from the truth. Dig deeper and you’ll find the infinite many ways Israel and Utah are both deserts that have blossomed as a rose.

[@MyChannel-ol1zz]

It’s not real

[@jebroiroij2176]

@@MyChannel-ol1zzwow you’re so edgy and cool, demeaning others for their faith, what an awesome member of society

[@MyChannel-ol1zz]

@@jebroiroij2176 So no denial that’s it’s not real? Nice try bud.

[@JakeC222]

Brigham Young was racist.

[@loud_laughter]

Jews have no better friends than Mormons btw. There are a lot of connections when you study the LDS faith and their Book of Mormon.

[@hmcdonald3164]

As a BYU alum I know the Y has many students of other faiths attending. Well done Jake, doing everyone proud mate. Go Cougs!

[@troyford625]

BYJew. Jake is a great leader!

[@caracloyd1]

Love this interview, my friends of the LDS faith and Jake!!! ✝️✡️

[@sputnik604]

From the outside people may think there is some kind of Chasm between Jews and LDS Christians. As someone who grew up LDS , did seminary, institute and all that - and the truth is, LDS people think highly and fondly of Jewish people. LDS people actually think highly of others across the board, there’s a survey about it - LDS folks tend to think highly of others, while others tend to snub the LDS. Idk why, let’s all be friends folks!

[@henryponnefz1444]

Good for you Jake and all the best in your future. Everyone loves you!

[@katiew2234]

We honor the Jewish faith. There is more that binds us than divides us. What a great young man!

[@bonniegeorge6052]

I love our BY Jew! I want a t-shirt! What a great dude ❤

[@duane9166]

There won’t be a lot of emphasis on it but Judaism and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a lot of linkage with each other. The Book of Mormon makes very frequent references to Judaism, including in its title page which says it was written for modern-day Jews as well as Gentiles and Lamanites (basically indigenous Americans).

[@echosmyth5021]

Ain't gonna lie, he gives off HUGE Ty Detmer vibes. Dominating potential within college football but will absolutely tank in the NFL.

[@Quetzal0te]

This is so awesome, great interview, what a great young man that happens to be an amazing football player. Best wishes and much success in all. 💪

[@jasonpdsi]

This guy has the face of a future NFL head coach.

[@I-am-a-nomaD]

What a wholesome guy. Thanks for interviewing him.

[@cardcollector0385]

Jake Retzlaff has sealed his place in BYU Quarterback lore. Go Cougars 😼😼😼

[@danielclark5586]

love this guy. super person. good luck jake

[@tbarron1631]

BYU is a great place for good people of all faiths.

[@Mo-MuttMusic]

Enjoyable interview! Thanks for sharing. Shawn R., Mo-Mutt Music/Sacred & Secular (and football fan)

[@kyleredfearn96]

We love the Jews at BYU. In many ways Mormonism is a hybrid of ancient Judaism and modern Christianity.

[@davidjanbaz7728]

Neither!

[@bheer98]

​@@davidjanbaz7728 what's a guy like you doing in a place like this? I think you're more warmly received at Ward Radio and Ready to Harvest lol

[@jackierobinson8785]

Seeing players who honor and display their religious faith...who wouldn't want to sit at that table!

[@cardcollector0385]

I truly love and appreciate Jake Retzlaff and I am so thankful that he came to BYU. He will be forever remembered in Cougar Lore for the amazing man and football player that he is here.😼

[@rambomoore381]

We love BY-Jew (a joke in a very loving way)! Utahan here and we love Jake Retz!

[@itsonme7767]

Mormans are some of the nicest people I’ve known. Of course there are some shitbaggs here and there but the majority I’ve met are stand up good people

[@cgreen4204]

Andy Reid is a member of The Church as well. Hence why he and his team KC are blessed

[@byuftbl]

I don’t think God picks sides as much as that suggests. Why should LDS people be more blessed in BYU football than say a devout catholic should be blessed at Notre Dame football? Both worship the same God in different ways and I think God rewards any who follow him, even if it’s not the LDS tradition ;) KC is blessed because they have a good coach and players who work hard and get it done

[@Hystorm1]

Ummm, yea...understand: The church of Jesus Christ knows that Jesus was not only a Jew, But the Freaking King Jew! Thus....

[@gavinscottroyce]

Dudes good in interviews

[@dylanmarriott-lq7wf]

Absolutely love this

[@RohoSombrero]

A lot of BYU fans seem determined to point out the connections between Mormonism and Judaism which is cool. But people should know, you don’t have to be religious at all to love BYU. I don’t care what anyone’s supernatural beliefs are. I care about how people treat others and how much integrity they have. By that standard, I can love BYU and the Mormon people, even without wanting to sign up. There are lots of others like me too. I think 1/3 of BYU fans are not LDS.

[@BrentPalmer-k3d]

Congratulations Jake I admire and respect you

[@BiltsOne]

Go BYU💙

[@mikeimperiale4814]

a famous comment here in Utah - "it's only here that a Jew can be a Gentile" as historically, Mormons referred to all non-Mormons as Gentile (There's even a Gentile Street north of Salt Lake)... :)

[@mikemailei4491]

Byu aka quarterback U. Jim mcmaha, Steve young, ty tetmer, Steve sarkisian, Zach Wilson, jarren hall, etc etc,.

[@flansburgh1100]

I heard 'went to high school during Covid' right as I saw a hearse pass by.

[@amanchabra8947]

I think the BYU Athletic Department has done a great job of once again making the school an attractive place for athletes of other faiths or no specific religion at all. Recently, the men's basketball program made school history by putting an entire starting lineup on the floor of non-Latter-Day Saint players (which most Latter-Day Saints, including myself, applauded and cheered for), and now they have a QB who seems like a high-character guy and is only making the school and the football program better with his play on the field and his actions off of it. Not to say that having non-Latter-Day Saint players and coaches is new to the school because it certainly is NOT. Jim McMahon, Robbie Bosco, Ty Detmer, Steve Sarkisian, and even Andy Reid are among the many great players who were NOT Latter-Day Saints when they agreed to go there decades ago. Great coaches such as Norm Chow, Mike Holmgren, and others (including Jake Retzlaff's own QB coach and analyst apparently) have served on coaching staffs at BYU despite not being members of the church. In the past, some of those great athletes have been baptized into the church, and others didn't, which is fine either way. The point is, that I am glad to see BYU and the many members of the church at the school and around the world continuing to be so open and welcoming to athletes like Jake who come from different backgrounds. Hopefully, we can ALL live up to the doctrine taught in our 11th Article of Faith: "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may." Keep doing what you're doing Jake, and GO COUGS!

[@dylanmarriott-lq7wf]

Go BYJEW!!!

[@PascalDupont561]

Is byjew ever chanted by our fans in a good way ? That would be cool.

[@sdb816]

O Come All ye Faithful….to BYU. 🙏🏼

[@m3po22]

This is just my non-academic impression, but, in some ways, LDS theology brings Christianity a little back closer to Judaism, synthesizing both. Temples are one example. But anyway, the groups of people are similar in a lot of ways, and I've even been called a Mountain Jew, which I think is hilarious

[@davidjanbaz7728]

Counterfeit of Both, you mean.

[@m3po22]

@@davidjanbaz7728 you can't fight the truth forever

[@uso_teej]

Men go to war and fight in the trenches together and can pray to different Gods. Football wouldn't be any different.

[@jeffirwin6795]

Whos gonna tell him rivers Stafford didn't start it... he should talk to steve young a bit more.

[@royangel2317]

Or Fran Tarkington

[@royangel2317]

Sorry, spelled wrong-Tarkenton

[@mattwoolley]

BUJew and God cuts the feed. 😂😂😂

[@chrisdennis1449]

The Hucking Hebrew. We love Jake and go Cougars!

[@eforsy650]

With regards to football, Jake is a QB. What better place QB to play than QBU?

[@elijahhodges4405]

Johnny Unitas had a strange path.

[@MrChapimex]

Jake is a STUD

[@dylanmarriott-lq7wf]

Go BYU

[@emjm9383]

Jake: "You can't find 2 religions more different." ??? -LDS almost believe they're half-Israeli. 🤣🤣

[@miketemple7686]

As long as he can uphold the Honor Code that he and ALL BYU students have to sign, there’s no problem.

[@davidjanbaz7728]

They make exceptions: Jim McMann

[@benjaminbarker6451]

school ties

[@christopherclayton8577]

Notre Dame was obviously slow off the mark. You snooze, you ...

[@jonathanaskins4416]

Jew Eisen couldnt wait to get this guy on

[@GNARLY_91]

they stick together

[@NaProbablyNot]

👏👏👏👏

[@thohangst]

A li'l style-guide tip for Rich's producers and whatnot. Calling people "mormon" is sorta slurrish. Slur-adjacent. Nick-namey. Obviously not done with any ill intent here, just a habit to clean up. "LDS" is an extra syllable that'll pay dividends. Thanks, my bros. And I guess this is a tip for Jake as well :D

[@gofasters1]

Stand up guy, Go Cougs!!!

[@jgg0207]

Sko cougs till I die 💪🏽💪🏽

[@markhays5589]

BYJew

[@jabbahursty]

wasn't slovis also jewish?

[@rnley11]

no

[@henilietavaenuku7387]

Not Mormon, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint.

[@richardgaines9450]

Dear Jake...my maternal grandfather is Jewish...makes me 1/8 jewish....on another note : ISAIAH 45:8 plus ISAIAH 29:4 plus PSALMS 85:11 all foretell the Book of Mormon coming out of the ground....

[@jdarrenwilcox]

That would be 1/4.

[@PhilipJFry-qh2jg]

Lets all be real. BYU is "accepting of other faith" because they wouldnt have a competitive football program otherwise.

[@racealexander1660]

Clearly you've never stepped foot on campus

[@inshanity84]

I understand why someone would think that, but this is a unique student body. They have lived all over the world, learned different languages, cultures, traditions, food, etc. Even though it's not a religiously diverse institution, most are enthusiastically accepting of others.

[@bryanpbrowning8620]

Real version of School Ties. Jew playing QB for a religious school that isn't his religion. Already saw that movie. It sucked

[@houseofchinn6112]

Ok? Thanks?

[@ravagetime]

It will get a remake.

[@lukeslc-xd8ds]

Thank you for your uplifting comment.

[@bsheffield5224]

The difference being in the movie, the QB was persecuted by his teammates when they learned of his religion

[@ptschaumkel]

BYU has Muslims, Jews, different sects of the Christian religion and non believers on the football team. Jake is the man, BYJEW 🕊️🤍

[@Runninrebel17]

How the Mormons got a Jew to play for them? I’m guessing they showed him money. There isn’t a story here. A Jew was offered the most money to play there and he took it. Move on to something else

[@morganball4199]

Source please…. I’ll wait for it, … still waiting… That’s what I thought. Buh bye!!

[@Runninrebel17]

@@morganball4199 go speak to the manager karen

[@Runninrebel17]

@@morganball4199 I’m still waiting

[@rnley11]

clown comments.... Jake received a scholarship, that's it

[@Runninrebel17]

@@rnley11 and he was shvitzing at the money behind it

[@jaxontolman6566]

BYJew