The accepted rule in American football states that high school games are to be played on Fridays, college games on Saturdays and NFL games on Sundays.
For a lot of people, that three-day swing each week in the fall is followed religiously.
Catalina Foothills senior Matt Landau has a different religion, one that has altered football traditions this week for a greater purpose.
Nearly all of the Class 4A and 5A high school games in the state will be played tonight, giving Jewish people like Landau the opportunity to observe Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year that begins at sundown Friday.
"It means a lot to me that people can throw their support behind something like this," said Landau, Foothills' starting place-kicker. "It's great to see people make this possible so players like me can play the game and still observe religious practices."
People are also reading…
The move to observe Rosh Hashana began in 1999 when Sahuaro successfully petitioned to have its game at Cottonwood Mingus switched to Thursday — an idea initiated by then-sophomore linebacker Isaac Greenberg, who is a member of the Jewish faith.
It was the only game involving a local team to be played that night.
Three years later, nearly all games involving local 4A and 5A schools were moved from Rosh Hashana.
"When we first had to move games, nobody wanted to do it. Friday night is traditional football and moving the games creates a lot of conflicts," said TUSD director of interscholastics Sheila Baize. "But the people in the Jewish community have been very focused on moving the games, and our district realized that it was a no-brainer. This is something we should do."
Some professional athletes — namely Dodgers pitching legend Sandy Koufax — have refused to play on Jewish holy days and have caused some controversy as a result.
The request to accommodate Rosh Hashana seems to have met little resistance in recent years, drawing praise from members of the Jewish religion.
"There are two days on the Jewish calendar (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) that are so holy and special that families really flock to the synagogues to come together and pray," said Rabbi Thomas Louchheim of Congregation Or Chadash.
"For the (school districts) to respect that, to show that kind of sensitivity and say, 'Let's make an exception here,' that's wonderful."
Of course, playing on Thursday means there is one fewer day for teams to prepare for games. In high school football — where one week plays a huge role during the short, 10-game schedule — being unpolished can throw off a team's season.
"It definitely has an affect on the team because we're so used to playing on Fridays and having that extra day to get ready," said senior Aaron Tevis, a linebacker/tight end for Canyon del Oro.
"But we know it's their religion, and we don't want to impede on their beliefs.
"For a team, it's not ideal, but we're more than happy to go along with it."
