This edition of athletes’ pre-game rituals features Jett Jewett, who embodies the essence of simplicity and versatility. Jewett plays on the U19 soccer/football team, operating primarily as a defensive-minded midfielder, but has recently shown potential as a more box-to-box midfielder, one who can provide output both in defense and going forward. This is part of a series of articles about student-athletes’ pre-game rituals. Read them all here.
Jett Jewett ’27. Photo: Northwood Soccer/Instagram.
Though he has no superstitions, he does have a structured, consistent routine. “The night before game(s), I stretch out and do mobility work – after a long bus ride, my body is usually sore. So, I’ll hop on the bike at the hotel gym, if they have one; if not, I’ll just stretch out. Lastly, I need to get at least 8 hours of sleep. On gameday morning, I start by drinking a bottle of electrolyte at breakfast, then I always eat a Banana and an Orange. After that, I shower and then take the bus to the game. Once I get on the bus, I turn on my music; my two artists are Gunna and Drake.”
All athletes have gas station must-haves; some are healthier than others, prioritizing discipline and high-quality ingredients over sugary junk food. Jett falls into the healthy category: “I always get trail mix, specifically the bag with the M&M’s. On top of that, I grab myself a vitamin water – I keep it healthy.”
“I would suggest that you do not change anything on gameday – meaning don’t do things that you haven’t done before,” Jewett advises. “If you start preparing in ways that you don’t normally do, you subconsciously make the game feel bigger than it actually is. I stick to my routine and keep it simple; that works for me,” he added.
“What player inspires me? Kevin De Bruyne. I wouldn’t say that my playstyle is similar to his, but he’s been my favorite player from a young age; So, I don’t have a player who I try to model my game after, however, De Bruyne is the one that’s inspired me.”