What BYU's Jewish quarterback said about playing on Yom Kippur – Deseret News

As BYU fans celebrate in Provo with Fox Sports' “Big Noon Kickoff,” ESPN's “College GameDay” shines a spotlight on quarterback Jake Retzlaff's faith.

College GameDay released a video Saturday about Retzlaff's experiences as a Jew at BYU and his decision to play on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism.

“I can't wait for the game because it will be a special day when a Jewish child plays football on Yom Kippur because if that makes headlines it means I get to be another light for someone else and that means that I have to do it too.” win. I have to win the game,” the BYU quarterback said.

On Yom Kippur, which began at sunset on Friday evening and ends on Saturday evening, most Jews spend the day fasting, praying and attending church services.

The holiday, also known as “Day of Atonement,” celebrates God’s promise of forgiveness and the importance of reconciliation, as the Deseret News previously reported.

Retzlaff's mother, Maxanne, told College GameDay that she supports his decision to play. She said she taught her children to make the decisions that best serve their communities.

“We taught them to try to be part of both worlds. That’s the best way he can contribute to the community he’s in,” she said.

Retzlaff also stayed with the BYU football team during Yom Kippur last fall, telling the Deseret News at the time that he didn't want to let his “brothers down.”

“For me (Yom Kippur) is a big deal. It’s a big holiday,” he said. “At the end of the day, though, I have to tell you that I owe it to my brothers on this team to be on the field on game day and at practice,” the BYU quarterback said.

In the “College GameDay” video, Retzlaff talked about how much he has enjoyed his time at BYU so far, including the opportunity to teach others about his faith.

“As a culture, we love to point out the differences between each other. But we have much more in common. “I found out here that so many people are so similar to me,” said Retzlaff, one of three Jews on campus.

In his own interview with College GameDay, BYU football coach Kalani Sitake spoke about welcoming Retzlaff to BYU and being confident he will feel at home.

“(We) thought he was a great fit for our program as an individual. We encouraged him to live his religion freely. BYU has always been about accepting others and their religion,” Sitake said.