The Groundbreaker – George Jewett (1890-1894) | This Week in Michigan Football History

In this edition of This Week in Michigan Football History we look at traditions past and present, old and new. First, we note today is the 87th playing of the SAE Mudbowl down on campus. Next, the calendar features two big games over rival Minnesota in the 1940s, including program win #400 (1948) and a victory that snapped a 10 (TEN!) game winless streak against the Gophers (1943).

Finally, we celebrate the legacy of George Jewett, the first African-American player for a would-be Big Ten Conference team. And we welcome the 16th Big Ten Rivalry Trophy – The George Jewett Trophy as Northwestern faces Michigan Saturday.

As always, listen to This Week in Michigan Football History on the WTKA 1050AM Keybank Countdown to Kickoff pregame show ahead of every game. Or catch it live in the Bud Light Victors Lounge!!

Full script:

GOOD MORNING to the maize and blue faithful out there!  This special day is FULL of Michigan tradition past and PRESENT, old and NEW.   First off, this morning down at the corner of South University and Washtenaw, Meechigan students slop around in the 87th edition of the SAE Mudbowl.

It was also on this date in 1948 that Michigan achieved program win #400 with a victory over Minnesota.   And just 5 years earlier in 1943, Fritz Crisler’s men FINALLY stopped a TEN-game winless streak against the Gophers with a 49-6 victory at the Big House.    Each of those wins earned Michigan the Little Brown Jug, and surely you know that it was the jug that started the entire rivalry trophy tradition. 

That brings us to today, a very special one as a NEW rivalry tradition is launched as we face Northwestern for The George Jewett Trophy.  The new prize honors Jewett, the first African-American to play for a Big Ten Conference institution.  George enrolled at U-M after being valedictorian and a multi-sport star just steps from the Victors Lounge at Ann Arbor (now Pioneer) High School.  While studying medicine he suited up for the Wolverines in 1890 and 1892 performing fullback, halfback, and kicking duties.  He even help the Wolverines take down the legendary Amos Alonzo Stagg’s Chicago Maroons in 1892. 

Jewett left Michigan for Northwestern in 1893 to finish his degree and lettered in football for the Cats for two additional seasons.  His play earned praise from the likes of two men whose names adorn other major pigskin trophies, namely Stagg and the legendary John Heisman.   Dr. Jewett went on to practice medicine and later, moved back to Ann Arbor and opened a business on State Street.

Michigan football has a modern tie to the man, as Courtney Avery, a standout Michigan cornerback from 2010-2013 is actually a relative of Jewett, and coincidentally posted career highs in tackles against Northwestern back in 2013.

So today we welcome Northwestern and a NEW tradition in MEECHIGAN HISTORY – The 16th Big Ten rivalry trophy – The George Jewett Trophy –  celebrating our shared relationship with this wonderful, groundbreaking man.

Go BLUE!  Beat the Wildcats!  Bring home The George!  For more, check out WTKA.com and MVictors.com.  For the Key Bank Countdown to Kickoff, this is Greg Dooley.