[6] He was also the fastest sprinter in the Midwest, having won the Amateur Athletic Union 100-yard dash competition, and was fluent in German, Italian and French.
[6] Jewett attended the University of Michigan from 1890 to 1893, where he became the first African American in the school's history to letter in football.
[6] Jewett was regarded as "one of the greatest stars" in Michigan football in the pre-Fielding H. Yost era.
[7][8] In addition to playing as fullback and halfback, Jewett was also the team's field goal kicker and has been called "the Afro-American phenomenon of the University of Michigan.
"[6] In 1892, Jewett played a central role in a memorable game against an Oberlin College team coached by John Heisman.
[12] After Oberlin went ahead, 12–6, Jewett scored his second touchdown on a run from 25 yards out, but his kick failed, so the Wolverines trailed 12–10.
[12] Jewett also made a touchdown-saving tackle in the Oberlin game, catching up with Charles Savage from behind at the five yard line after a 90-yard run.
The umpire (a Michigan man) ruled that four minutes remained on the game clock owing to timeouts that Oberlin's timekeeper had not recorded.
[12][13][14] The next day, the Michigan Daily reported: "Oberlin compromised herself by leaving the field before time was up....
He listed his occupation at that time as janitor, while his sister Mary was a music teacher, and his father continued to be employed as a blacksmith.