Badger of Honor
Fansided

Flashback: A Yom Kippur Running Diary

By Noah Seligman

DETROIT - 2006: Matt Bernstein of the Detroit Lions poses for his 2006 NFL headshot at photo day in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Getty Images)
DETROIT - 2006: Matt Bernstein of the Detroit Lions poses for his 2006 NFL headshot at photo day in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WI – SEPTEMBER 16: P.J. Hill
MADISON, WI – SEPTEMBER 16: P.J. Hill /

How did you feel physically after the game?  What did you eat?

After the game I was exhausted.  I think I ate two turkey sandwiches in the locker room along with five Powerades and as much candy as I could find.  Doesn’t beat lox and bagels but it tasted delicious.  I also had some beers with [Kirk] Herbstreit, [Chris] Fowler, and [Erin] Andrews at Wando’s bar.

Did your teammates know you were fasting and if so, what did they say?

They knew and semi understood the significance of what that meant.  They were all great teammates.  Look at how well they played in the second half.  I could not have done anything I did without an offensive line that blocked everyone [Joe Thomas was on that OL], wide receivers that blocked everyone, tight ends who did the same, and coaches who believed I could do it.  They are the reason I was successful.  I loved playing for the team and Wisconsin.

Pause here to note that a few years later, Wisconsin OT Gabe Carimi (also Jewish) followed Bernstein’s template.  Carimi started his fast early and ended it with IV fluids.  He then suited up and played for Wisconsin in a win over Arizona State at Camp Randall Stadium.