Who Are Sam Salz’s Parents? The Orthodox Jewish Family Embracing Their Son’s Football Journey

” Jews belong in the library or laboratory, but not on the playing field.” Busting this stereotype and making a notable presence in the Texas A&M locker room was not the easiest for this running back. He has become the only known Orthodox Jew to play college football. You might know who we are talking about. Yes, we are talking about Sam Salz. The tale of how the 5′ 6″, 160-pound Philadelphian secured a spot on the Division I squad may sound like the screenplay of a sentimental film, but Salz’s story is all too real. And it becomes possible due to his parents’ unwavering support. Who are his parents?

Marianna Salz is the mother of Sam, whose father’s name remains unknown. However, his father is a chiropractor and plays an integral role in his son’s football journey. Whereas, his mother is the main resource of his hard work and determination on and off the field. Marianna works for a Jewish relief agency, fostering Sam’s strong bond with the Jewish community. Why is there a reference to a “strong bond”? This question may cross your mind.

Well, if you are an Aggies fan and keep up with the athletes regularly, you will undoubtedly notice that Sam has a Kippah on underneath his helmet. Moreover, he doesn’t attend most Texas A&M University games. Right? Why is this the case? Well, Friday or Saturday nights are when most college football games are played, so that’s not the ideal time for a player like Sam Salz who observes a strict Sabbath. However, his connection to the Jewish community is further demonstrated by his jersey, which represents the 39 forbidden Sabbath laborers. Hence, it seems like his mother’s commitment to the Jewish community is the reason behind everything. Wait, not only in religious rituals, but his mother is involved in his football journey too.

Salz traveled with his mom the 1,500 miles from their Philadelphia home to College Station when it came time to choose his school. He first attended Kohelet Yeshiva High School in Philadelphia, which does not have a football team. Then, in 2021, Salz went to College Station, Texas’s Rudy’s Country Store to hear Jimbo Fisher, the former Texas A&M head coach, perform a weekly radio show. Salz had already decided to play for the Aggies since then, despite not having any prior high school team experience. Subsequently, he was chosen to play as a walk-on for Texas A&M, which opened a new chapter in his life. Let’s take a glimpse of it. 

Sam Salz’s parents in embracing his football journey

During Sam’s selection, his mom stated, “To us, it is huge. There is definitely a level of stereotyping and I think my son wanted to show you can have what, to some people, might appear as two contrasting identities in one.” It demonstrates his mother’s faith in her son. In addition, it indicates she was by his side throughout his entire football career. However, there is a catch to his choice. Walk-ons are required by university policy to have played varsity football in high school, but Sam had never played. Hence, he is a star running back in Texas A&M football because of his talent and effort, that much is certain. We have one more chapter left to disclose!

The final straw was a visit to the Rohr Chabad Jewish Center on campus. The close-knit, volunteer-focused community where Jewish students on campus congregated for prayer, meals, and camaraderie made Salz feel at home. “When I saw how special the Jewish community is here I said, ‘This is it. This is the place.’ ” stated Sam. In addition, he had Fisher sign his affirmation statement and his kippah.