It is not a common thing to hear that a Jewish player won a Super Bowl this year. Actually, there are currently Jewish players playing on some of the best teams in the NFL, including the Patriots and the Chiefs.
The Patriots wide receiver, Julian Edelman just won a Superbowl ring a season ago. Edelman was the first Jewish player to be named Super Bowl MVP 3 years ago against the Atlanta Falcons.
This year the Kansas City Chiefs were crowned Super Bowl champions. While looking at the roster there might be one name that stands out from the rest. That is Mitchell Schwartz. I mean just the last name is an absolute giveaway to this man’s Jewish upbringing. Mitchell Schwartz is an offensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Schwartz wasn’t just any tackle however. Schwartz was awarded the honor of being named as an All-Pro, A title that distinguishes between some of the top players in the league. Not only is it incredibly rare to be put on this roster, but to do it in the Jewish faith is an absolute mitzvah.
Mitchell Schwartz wasn’t alone in the upbringing of football in his house. He had a brother by the name of Geoff who also played in the NFL mainly for the New York Giants.
Early Life
The Schwartz brothers grew up in West Los Angeles in a Jewish conservative house. Schwartz was actually not very interested in football until he decided to play freshman year of high school.
I mean when you’re a 6’5 and 240 lb freshman it seems like it would be worth a shot to take your chance on the field. The reason Schwartz was not able to play and his young teens is probably the most Jewish reason of all time. I’ll let you take a guess. You ready? His parents wanted him to focus on his bar mitzvah.
Once he completed it, it was football from there on out. Schwartz attended Palisades Charter High School.
Schwartz was a two-time All-State “underclassman” pick, and earned 2005 All-Western League and All-City honors in his junior year. As a senior, he was the 2006 Los Angeles City Offensive Lineman of the Year, and 2006 Western League Lineman of the Year.
College
Schwartz decided to take his talents to the University of California where he continued his tear on the defensive line. Schwartz was a quarterback’s best friend. Mitchell was a four year starter in college and got lots of attention from NFL scouts.
NFL
Schwartz was selected with the 37th pick in the second round by the Cleveland Browns. Schwarts was was a starter from the moment he joined the league. He would start all 16 games for the Browns that year. In the 2016 offseason, Schwartz signed a five-year / 33 million dollar deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.
This made him one of the highest paid offensive lineman in the league. Considering the Browns have not made the playoffs in countless seasons, this seemed like an obvious choice for the young tackle. Schwartz shined, and this season he was a true focal point in their Super Bowl victory.
Schwartz has been an amazing talent to watch, and an amazing talent to look up to in the Jewish community. Us Jews commend you Mitchell, and we wish nothing but the best for you, your brother, and your family.
Works Cited: “Mitchell Schwartz.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Mar. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitchell_Schwartz.