Show Notes
🏈 He had NEVER played organized football — then he made the Texas A&M football team.
On this episode of LivingYosh, I sit down with Sam Salz, the first known Orthodox Jewish player in NCAA Division I football.
Sam's story sounds almost impossible.
He attended an Orthodox Jewish high school that didn't even have a football team. He arrived at Texas A&M without prior organized football experience and refused to give up on his dream. After months of persistence and training, Sam earned his place as a walk-on with the Aggies.
He kept Shabbat, wore his kippah and tzitzit, and chose jersey #39 — representing the 39 melachot of Shabbat.
Then, after years of waiting, Sam finally stepped onto the field for Texas A&M against New Mexico State in 2024.
In this conversation, Sam opens up about:
🏈 Why he chose football despite never playing organized football growing up ✡️ Being openly Orthodox Jewish in Division I college football 🙏 Keeping Shabbat while playing for an SEC program 3️⃣9️⃣ The powerful meaning behind jersey #39 💪 Training when almost nobody believed his dream was possible 🏟️ What it felt like finally getting onto the field for Texas A&M 👨👩👦 His family and the people who shaped him 🎤 Becoming a public voice for Jewish identity and faith 👀 Being recognized and dealing with attention 🎟️ Whether everyone suddenly starts asking you for football tickets 🔥 Failure, persistence and refusing to quit 🎯 What's next for Sam Salz
This is bigger than football.
It's a conversation about faith, identity, resilience and having the courage to chase a dream without giving up who you are.
👇 FOLLOW SAM SALZ
🌐 Website: https://www.samsalz.org 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sam__salz/ 𝕏 X/Twitter: https://x.com/sam_salz 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samsssssss 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samsalz ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SamSalz39
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**Subscribe to LivingYosh** for more conversations with people whose stories prove that adversity, faith and determination can change a life.
If Sam's story inspires you, LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE & SUBSCRIBE.
#SamSalz #TexasAM #TexasAMFootball #Aggies #CollegeFootball #OrthodoxJewish #JewishAthlete #JewishPride #Shabbat #Faith #Football #NCAA #SECfootball #Inspiration #Resilience #LivingYosh #Podcast
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