The meaning behind Jerry Jeudy’s Star of David necklace
Throughout the week of the NFL scouting combine, draft prospects go through a vigorous vetting process in addition to the physical tests and workouts, answering a variety of questions from prospective teams and reporters ahead of April’s draft.
University of Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, a top NFL prospect, wore an interesting accessory to a news conference at the combine in February: a Star of David necklace.
Adorned in the silver-and-black NFL-issued jumpsuits, Jeudy stepped back from the microphone before fielding questions to unzip his top and make sure his necklace could be seen by the reporters and cameras.
The necklace was the diamond-crusted Star of David, the same one he had previously been spotted wearing during pre-game warmups under his Crimson Tide uniform.
Jeudy, 20, told reporters that he was wearing the Jewish star because his last name is Jeudy and “people sometimes call me Jeu,” pronounced like Jew, for short. But, he clarified, “I’m not Jewish though.”
The first-team All-American, who is forgoing his senior year at Alabama to enter the pro draft in April, later tweeted an apology to anyone who found his necklace offensive: “Don’t mean no disrespect to the Jewish people! I’m sorry to the people who take my chain offensive!!” he wrote.
Twitter did not seem to be offended; rather they loved his explanation. Many began joking about Jeudy’s affinity for the Jewish people, with quips such as the “Horah” being his go-to touchdown celebration.
In a new cover profile, which touted Jeudy as “the best wide receiver in the 2020 NFL draft,”
Jeudy opened up about the deeper meaning behind his necklace.
“What everyone in Indianapolis failed to notice, though, was the girl whose picture occupied the symbol’s center,”
Alex Prewitt wrote.
You see, Jeudy’s younger sister, Aaliyah, was born with severe health complications – doctors said she would not live past her third birthday. She died at age 7, in hospice care, in November 2016.
“When I took care of her, I used to think, ‘When I get to the league, I’m finally find these doctors to help her learn how to talk, how to walk, stuff like that,’” Jeudy said. “God had other plans.”
So, at the center of the necklace, is a photo of Jeudy’s late sister, Aalyiah.
The NFL Draft begins on April 23, and Jeudy is widely considered to be an early first round pick. The receiver was especially dominant over the past two seasons, hauling in 145 receptions for 2,478 yards and 24 touchdowns.
In NFL.com’s latest mock draft, Jeudy is projected to be taken 13th overall. He has met with the New York Giants (picking fourth) and New York Jets (with the No. 11 selection) as well, and could find himself playing on Sundays in the largest Jewish-populated metropolitan area in the US.
Of the 20 million or so people who live in the New York-Newark-Jersey City area, more than 10 percent (2.1 million) are Jewish. (JTA and TNS)