Jews and pigs(skin), Week 3

Igor Olshanksy (Dallas) was featured in this wonderful profile by Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News in which the defensive end pumps up the volume on his relationship with his religion.

Olshansky . . . doesn’t claim to be an observant Jew. He will not be in synagogue on Monday, which is Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, a time for prayer and fasting. Rather, he will be preparing to battle the Carolina Panthers that night on national television.

But he is a proud Jew. The identical Stars of David tattooed along his massive clavicles bear witness. In a sports world with relatively few Jewish athletes, and fewer who talk openly about their religion, he has become a role model of sorts to Jewish children. That’s what happened back in San Francisco, where he grew up, and in San Diego, where he played the last five seasons for the Chargers. Perhaps it will happen in Dallas someday as well.

“I am who I am,” Olshansky said. “I am a Jew, a spiritual person who has my own personal relationship with God. I try to be a good person . . . and although I never chose to be a role model, I don’t mind it.”

Olshansky led the Cowboys defense on Monday night with four tackles in the 21-7 win over the Carolina Panthers. Teammate Kyle Kosier made the game start as a guard.

In other NFL/MOT action:

• Tackle Geoff Schwartz (Panthers) did not appear in the Carolina-Dallas game.
• Aaron Podlesh (Jaguars) punted just three times, averaging 31 yards, in a 31-24 win over the Houston Texans.
• Quarterback Sage Rosenfels (Vikings) did not appear in his team’s 27-24 win over the San Francisco 49ers. He has not taken a snap in a regular season game so far this season
• Long Snapper David Binn (Chargers) appeared in his team’s 23-13 win over the Miami Dolphins.

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Kaplan’s Korner on Jews and Sports © 2009 New Jersey Jewish News

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