ZZ since the bad start at Mississippi State

[Thunder Good-Oil]

It’s the number, it’s why Lofton gave Zeigler permission to finish his career wearing it.

I think that they are quietly transitioning to the Jersey. More like reserving the number instead of retiring it. If a big time recruit wanted to wear one of them then the honoree could be asked for permission. And after about a generation of hanging it up many will be unfamiliar with them. I saw this one called a retired jersey more so than a retired number than in the past.

“Retiring his #5 JERSEY”

“Lofton becomes UT's fifth men's basketball player to be PERMANENTLY HONORED in the Thompson-Boling Arena rafters.”

"Having now learned more about his incredible work ethic, the adversity he overcame and the amazing character he displayed—and continues to display—I can't wait to experience Thompson-Boling Arena when we UNVEIL HIS BANNER in the rafters."

Tennessee to Retire Chris Lofton’s Basketball Jersey Jan. 14 - University of Tennessee Athletics

Maybe more like a hybrid. It won’t be used (without the player’s permission) for several years. But if too many end up retired, then they’ll start having a time period attached on down the road.

Tennessee Retired Jerseys

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I think somewhere I’ve seen there’s a difference between a retired jersey and a retired number. I don’t think a retired number can ever be worn again by a player, but I think a retired jersey (ie. name) can be worn again going forward. Lofton specifically had a retired jersey as designated by the powers-that-be. I would assume that #5 can be worn again into the future.

If there is a distinction, then it should be for Nowling, Klarer, Tucker, and Fuson. 32, 49, 61, and 62 should be permanently retired numbers.

 

[cardvolfan]

I think that they are quietly transitioning to the Jersey. More like reserving the number instead of retiring it. If a big time recruit wanted to wear one of them then the honoree could be asked for permission. And after about a generation of hanging it up many will be unfamiliar with them. I saw this one called a retired jersey more so than a retired number than in the past.

“Retiring his #5 JERSEY”

“Lofton becomes UT's fifth men's basketball player to be PERMANENTLY HONORED in the Thompson-Boling Arena rafters.”

"Having now learned more about his incredible work ethic, the adversity he overcame and the amazing character he displayed—and continues to display—I can't wait to experience Thompson-Boling Arena when we UNVEIL HIS BANNER in the rafters."

Tennessee to Retire Chris Lofton’s Basketball Jersey Jan. 14 - University of Tennessee Athletics

Maybe more like a hybrid. It won’t be used (without the player’s permission) for several years. But if too many end up retired, then they’ll start having a time period attached on down the road.

Tennessee Retired Jerseys

It all seems pretty ambiguous. I would like to see the university’s stance on this. To this point, they’ve used the “retired numbers” and “retired jerseys” monikers separately. What does all this mean? Maybe they’re playing the political game, and if so, it is what it is.

 

[cardvolfan]

If there is a distinction, then it should be for Nowling, Klarer, Tucker, and Fuson. 32, 49, 61, and 62 should be permanently retired numbers.

Those numbers have not been used again since so designated, to my knowledge.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Those numbers have not been used again since so designated, to my knowledge.

Neither have the other 4. If there ever becomes a clearly defined distinction then I hope that 32. 49, 61, and 62 are the retired NUMBERS.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

It all seems pretty ambiguous. I would like to see the university’s stance on this. To this point, they’ve used the “retired numbers” and “retired jerseys” monikers separately. What does all this mean? Maybe they’re playing the political game, and if so, it is what it is.

Who has retired jerseys and who has retired numbers at Tennessee? I’ve only seen it as being one in the same, not sure I’ve seen anyone wearing any of those numbers, have you? 14, 20, 22 & 53?

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

It all seems pretty ambiguous. I would like to see the university’s stance on this. To this point, they’ve used the “retired numbers” and “retired jerseys” monikers separately. What does all this mean? Maybe they’re playing the political game, and if so, it is what it is.

Deliberately ambiguous is probably more accurate than “quietly transitioning”. It seems like they are trying to avoid being locked in to NEVER to be used again. The original press releases for the first 2 or three in basketball and 1 or 2 in football might include “never to be worn again” while the more recent have used more ambiguous language.

 

[cardvolfan]

Who has retired jerseys and who has retired numbers at Tennessee? I’ve only seen it as being one and the same, not sure I’ve seen anyone wearing any of those numbers, have you? 14, 20, 22 & 53?

King, Grunfeld, Houston, and Ellis were given “retired number”;status by the university. Lofton was given ”retired jersey” status, according to the media. I don‘t understand the difference.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Part of what could be blurting the lines for TN basketball to have two levels is Bernard. There is no comparison with the other 4 as far as a college basketball player. BK is the GOAT and it isn’t close. But the other 4 have avoided controversies off of the court. It wouldn’t be a good look to retire the number 53, but not the others. Retiring “jersey numbers” is what we now officially hear. Retiring “numbers” is the casual conversation.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

King, Grunfeld, Houston, and Ellis were given “retired number”;status by the university. Lofton was given ”retired jersey” status, according to the media. I don‘t understand the difference.

As bad as the PR department has been with the creation and distribution of game day information recently, I understand. The first 4 whatevers were retired years ago. Somebody probably pointed out that basketball only has 36 total numbers available.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

King, Grunfeld, Houston, and Ellis were given “retired number”;status by the university. Lofton was given ”retired jersey” status, according to the media. I don‘t understand the difference.

Because I don’t think there is, that’s just what they called it, but they also stated how Zeigler needed/got permission to wear it and he’d be the last one to which would suggest it’s a retired number. If you go to the UT website there’s no distinction, they are all called retired jerseys and listed together.