Un-retiring numbers?

[onefesternation]

Just read an article where Michigan is starting to use retired numbers in certain circumstances, as a way to sort of "honor" the former player by current players having to earn the right to wear that number. Here's a link to that article:

Michigan Wolverines to unretire President Gerald R. Ford's No. 48 jersey - ESPN

Wonder if other schools might do this, or if there are some that do this already? Would you want to see this happen at UT? What's better, retired and never worn again? Or retired, and only worn by a player who earns the right to wear it, so to speak?

 

[Chris4Vols22]

Just read an article where Michigan is starting to use retired numbers in certain circumstances, as a way to sort of "honor" the former player by current players having to earn the right to wear that number. Here's a link to that article:

Michigan Wolverines to unretire President Gerald R. Ford's No. 48 jersey - ESPN

Wonder if other schools might do this, or if there are some that do this already? Would you want to see this happen at UT? What's better, retired and never worn again? Or retired, and only worn by a player who earns the right to wear it, so to speak?

I always thought it was an abomination that Steven Pearl was allowed to wear #22 after they retired Grunfeld's number in 2008.

 

[utvolpj]

UT should only have 4 and they should not be worn again

 

[bamawriter]

I don't get retiring numbers in college football. There are too many players on the team to make certain numbers off limits.

 

[Notorious B.E.N]

I don't get retiring numbers in college football. There are too many players on the team to make certain numbers off limits.

Is that why Alabama had two #4s and two #3s?

 

[bamawriter]

Is that why Alabama had two #4s and two #3s?

Most teams have multiple players sharing numbers.

 

[VOLnMiami]

Is that why Alabama had two #4s and two #3s?

Bama counting...Take a number and make it twice what it actually is :thumbsup:

 

[tkemo]

Is that why Alabama had two #4s and two #3s?

Apparently its really cool if you have a single digit number. I think kiffin said they were reserved for special players or some such nonsense

 

[CatsQueue]

Just read an article where Michigan is starting to use retired numbers in certain circumstances, as a way to sort of "honor" the former player by current players having to earn the right to wear that number. Here's a link to that article:

Michigan Wolverines to unretire President Gerald R. Ford's No. 48 jersey - ESPN

Wonder if other schools might do this, or if there are some that do this already? Would you want to see this happen at UT? What's better, retired and never worn again? Or retired, and only worn by a player who earns the right to wear it, so to speak?

Wow. I guess this shows how ill-informed I am on this topic. I thought all schools retired jerseys rather than the actual number.

 

[bamawriter]

I thought all schools retired jerseys rather than the actual number.

What's the difference?

 

[GAVol]

UT should only have 4 and they should not be worn again

I'd say those should be taken out of circulation for sure. As far as the other numbers, I can see retiring jerseys, but retiring numbers has always seemed goofy to me in a sport with 85 scholarship players and only 99 possible numbers.

 

[CatsQueue]

What's the difference?

I know this thread is referring to football but use UK basketball for an example. They have retired 42 jerseys over the years. The number 44 has been retired 3 times. Heck in basketball you only have 37 possible jersey numbers.

 

[bamawriter]

I know this thread is referring to football but use UK basketball for an example. They have retired 42 jerseys over the years. The number 44 has been retired 3 times. Heck in basketball you only have 37 possible jersey numbers.

I guess I get it. So it's simply symbolic rather than actually saying "no one will ever wear this number again."

 

[Lawrence Wright]

I know this thread is referring to football but use UK basketball for an example. They have retired 42 jerseys over the years. The number 44 has been retired 3 times. Heck in basketball you only have 37 possible jersey numbers.

Tell that to the Celtics.

At some point down the road the only numbers they have left will be in the 90s.

 

[Coach Grizz]

Bama counting...Take a number and make it twice what it actually is :thumbsup:

Boom motha ****a'!!!!!! Outstanding post my friend!!!!!!

 

[dukes_of_maggard]

I think if you retire a number - you should retire it. Jackie Robinson style

 

[YankeeVol]

I think you should retire numbers, but only in special circumstances. Retiring a jersey makes much more sense

 

[CatsQueue]

I guess I get it. So it's simply symbolic rather than actually saying "no one will ever wear this number again."

Correct.

 

[velovol]

Is that why Alabama had two #4s and two #3s?

Not abnormal for a team to have players share a number, as long as they are not on the field at the same time. Texas seems to do quite a bit. I really cant remember Tennessee doing it with 2 players that bot contribute/have PT.
However, in Alabama's case i just think they struggle with counting and all.

I think Michigan honoring there past by unretiring numbers is also a way to recruit

 

[DeepSpringsVol]

Is that why Alabama had two #4s and two #3s?

Both 4s Barron and Maze wanted # 4 and since both played opposite sides of ball Saban promised them both. I dunno about 3.

 

[bamawriter]

Both 4s Barron and Maze wanted # 4 and since both played opposite sides of ball Saban promised them both. I dunno about 3.

Kareem Jackson also wore #3 during Richardson's freshman year. Vinnie Sunseri wears it now.

Bama doesn't really have any jersey numbers that hold special significance. Several great QBs have worn #12, but so have random DBs and WRs.

 

[Rocky_Top_Vol13]

I'd say those should be taken out of circulation for sure. As far as the other numbers, I can see retiring jerseys, but retiring numbers has always seemed goofy to me in a sport with 85 scholarship players and only 99 possible numbers.

Well you could have 100 numbers...if you let a guy be #0

 

[supersmo18]

Well you could have 100 numbers...if you let a guy be #0

Can you imagine Swiperboy playing football? :blink: