George Jewett Game: U-M, NU Honor Their First African American Football Player
10/19/2021 11:00:00 AM | Football, Features
Michigan and Northwestern will play the inaugural George Jewett Trophy Game on Saturday (Oct. 23) when the Wildcats visit Michigan Stadium for a noon kickoff.
By Barbara Cossman
In February 2021, the University of Michigan and Northwestern University announced the establishment of the first rivalry game trophy named for an African-American student-athlete in Football Bowl Subdivision history. The schools partnered to honor George Jewett, an alumnus of both universities and the first African American to play for both football programs. The two programs will play for the George Jewett Trophy each time they meet on the football field.
Jewett played for Michigan during the 1890 and 1892 seasons, enrolling at the university after being named valedictorian at Ann Arbor High (now Ann Arbor Pioneer High School), where he was a standout in track, football and baseball. Fluent in four languages, Jewett studied medicine while starring on the gridiron for the Wolverines as a fullback and halfback and was the team's main kicker.
He left Michigan for Northwestern in 1893 to finish his medical degree. While in Evanston, Ill., he also lettered and starred in football for the Wildcats for two seasons.
After graduation, Jewett became a doctor in Chicago before returning to Ann Arbor in 1899. He coached briefly at Michigan Agricultural College and Olivet, and later started a dry cleaning and pressing business on State Street. Unfortunately, Jewett's life was cut short, as he died in 1908 at the age of 38, leaving behind a wife and two sons.
"This is a historic moment in major college football history," said Warde Manuel, U-M's Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics. "We are proud to partner with our peer institution, Northwestern, to recognize and honor an African American pioneer in George Jewett. George achieved at a high level as a scholar, athlete and doctor.
"His hard work and effort led to success not only for himself, but for those who would follow a similar path after him. His excellence at two Big Ten institutions as a student, athlete and citizen is something we want our current student-athletes to aspire to during their collegiate experience. The George Jewett Trophy will become a proud celebration of the importance to diversity and inclusion on our teams, campuses, and in our society."
"Dr. George Jewett's academic, athletic, community and cultural accolades transcend time," stated Big Ten Conference commissioner Kevin Warren. "Dr. Jewett's dedication and perseverance to achieve excellence in every area of his life are an inspiration to every man and woman, and provide evidence that with hard work and passion there are no limitations to achieving your dreams. We must continue to work together to honor Dr. Jewett by eliminating racism and hate and creating equality in our society."
Statue Creation Process
In early spring 2021, soon after the George Jewett Game announcement was made, representatives from the U-M and Northwestern athletic departments quickly began conversations on what this recognition could and should look like. Having previously worked with Michigan Athletics, and as a Michigan Ross School of Business alumnus, Andy Johnson joined the effort and a vision quickly began to form. Johnson partnered with Gentle Giant Studios to design and build the trophy that will travel between Ann Arbor and Evanston with each game's victor beginning on Oct. 23, 2021. A smaller permanent replica will also be on display in both school's football buildings.
The actual design and build process for a trophy or statue is a lengthy one and can take years. The first step was identifying what the end result should represent. The design team undertook a two-dimensional design process that focused on the exemplary achievements of Jewett the athlete and scholar. Pulling inspiration from limited early 19th century images of Jewett and his teammates, the design represents a fusion of his athletic, academic and professional lives. He is imagined as a man in motion, wearing both his collegiate football attire and the preeminent symbol of his status as a physician, his doctor's coat.
Final artwork involved a digital sculptor who took the initial 2D concept and converted it into a working three-dimensional model using Autodesk Maya and Pixologic's Zbrush sculpting tools. The original concept evolved to a historically accurate piece through the 3D modeling process. From the garments to the doctor's bag with its medical instruments and the football he carries, the model was finished with a noble portrait of Jewett's likeness.
The final model was 3D printed on a large-format stereolithography (SLA) printer from 3D Systems and hand-finished by a team of fabricators. Once this master was completed, the impressive 36-inch tall trophy was molded and lost wax casting patterns were made. The final investment casting process involved the pouring of molten bronze into silica-sand shell molds.
The trophy pivots 360 degrees. One side represents Michigan and the opposite side Northwestern. The other two sides are neutral, celebrating this eternal symbol of accomplishment and excellence, George Jewett.
Listen: Andy Johnson was on Wednesday's (Oct. 20) "In the Trenches" podcast to discuss the creation of the trophy.
About George Jewett
Michigan and Northwestern Alumnus
• Lived 1870-1908
• Valedictorian, Ann Arbor High School, 1889
• University of Michigan: 1890-93, not enrolled 1891-92
• Member of 1890 and 1892 Michigan football teams
• Northwestern University: 1893-94
• Member of 1893-94 Northwestern football teams while completing medical degree
• First African American football player at both universities, as well as any university that formed the Big Ten
• Practiced medicine in Chicago until 1899
• Returned to Ann Arbor to open State Street valet service
• Died suddenly at 38, leaving a wife and two sons
• Michigan and Northwestern Establish George Jewett Trophy (2/25/2021)
