Bruce Gradkowski Is Raiders Starting QB. But He Isn't a 'Member of the Tribe.'
Categories: Sports
Moments after the Oakland Raiders tabbed journeyman Bruce Gradkowski their starting quarterback, the tweets and the e-mails started coming.
Even people who despise the Raiders or can't tell a football from a matzo ball were suddenly delighted that the team's new signal caller is a "Member of the Tribe." Let's face it: For Jewish football fans, there are not many coreligionists to cheer for. As far as quarterbacks -- the glamor position of America's favorite sport -- There's Sid Luckman from back in the Pleistocene, Jay Fiedler, Sage Rosenfels (improbably, the two were teammates from 2002-04), and ... anyone?
Not Bruce Gradkowski, it turns out.
We phoned the Raiders' publicity department and were informed that Gradkowski is of Polish and Italian heritage. Calls to his parents -- Bruce, Sr. and Debbie of Pittsburgh, Penn. -- to make sure have not yet been returned.
When it comes to Jewish quarterbacks, Semitic fans who feel the need to root on their brethren will have to pull for Rosenfels. But be forewarned -- not even tristate-area rabbis would want ol' Sage in the game ahead of New York Giants starter Eli Manning.
Follow us on Twitter at @TheSnitchSF and @SFWeekly
Even people who despise the Raiders or can't tell a football from a matzo ball were suddenly delighted that the team's new signal caller is a "Member of the Tribe." Let's face it: For Jewish football fans, there are not many coreligionists to cheer for. As far as quarterbacks -- the glamor position of America's favorite sport -- There's Sid Luckman from back in the Pleistocene, Jay Fiedler, Sage Rosenfels (improbably, the two were teammates from 2002-04), and ... anyone?
Not Bruce Gradkowski, it turns out.
We phoned the Raiders' publicity department and were informed that Gradkowski is of Polish and Italian heritage. Calls to his parents -- Bruce, Sr. and Debbie of Pittsburgh, Penn. -- to make sure have not yet been returned.
When it comes to Jewish quarterbacks, Semitic fans who feel the need to root on their brethren will have to pull for Rosenfels. But be forewarned -- not even tristate-area rabbis would want ol' Sage in the game ahead of New York Giants starter Eli Manning.
Follow us on Twitter at @TheSnitchSF and @SFWeekly
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