Link: Colorado “unretires “ jersey numbers for recruits.

[AlexanderFan]

The three jerseys will have patches honoring the players they were retired for. The idea is to give recruits access to the numbers. Catering to the new guys I guess.
Let the offseason begin!

Colorado unretires 3 numbers for football recruits

Colorado will bring three hallowed football numbers out of retirement in response to growing requests from recruits. Byron "Whizzer" White's No. 24, Joe Romig's No. 67 and Bobby Anderson's No. 11 will all be worn again.

www.espn.com

 

[B1GTide]

I think that retiring numbers can be problematic, but some numbers need to be retired. Byron White, after an amazing life full of achievement, went on to become a member of the US Supreme Court.

History is important.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

This is just plain stupid.

They've retired 3 numbers. That leaves 96, and we all know from watching Alabama that some numbers are on one player when it's offense and another when it's special teams or defense. Byron White was one of the most respected members of the US Supreme Court. I haven't even heard of the other guys, but this is beyond stupid.

And oh, we'll keep Salaam's number retired - which we retired after he died (which was also dumb given he was your first Heisman winner and this should have been done while he was alive if you were going to do it).

So do they let people wear #21? Do you REALLY want someone to come wear Rae Carruth's number?

 

[AlistarWills]

Not so sure I agree with the retiring of numbers but I think the numbers worn by superstars or in the case of the SCOTUS judge, should have some special implications. The players requesting them need a history lesson on who wore it before and how they carried themselves. I know some schools have special numbers awarded to players each year. I think Fat Phil did it.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Byron White was an all-American player, and played in the NFL (such as it was in the day) while excelling in Yale's law school. Then went on to be a highly respected member of SCOTUS. No problem with retiring that one.

Still, I think BIG's right in that retiring numbers can get problematic.

One solution would be to have certain numbers earned on an annual basis, awarded after fall camp. As in, you earn the number for the coming season. In the spring, it's up for grabs again.

My list of earned numbers would be 3, 12, 22, 27, 54, 58, 73 and 82.

And yes, I know there could be a dozen more. But if you have too many, each one loses its significance. You have to draw the line somewhere, and that's where I drew it. Alabama problems.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Although I understand retiring numbers I always thought it was stupid. I mean, it is just a number for crying out loud. Mel Tucker is just trying to build his program and recruits are asking for popular numbers. Recruiting is a tough game and it makes sense to remove any obstacles as a new coach IMHO.

 

[CajunCrimson]

glad we don’t.

 

[DogPatch]

One solution would be to have certain numbers earned on an annual basis, awarded after fall camp. As in, you earn the number for the coming season. In the spring, it's up for grabs again.

My list of earned numbers would be 3, 12, 22, 27, 54, 58, 73 and 82.

But what if the right players don't want those numbers? Do you assign them anyway, or give them to "lesser" players?

 

[CB4]

No worries. If someone runs low because they retired too many numbers, you can always start using fractions or decimals.

"Now starting at quarterback, number 6 7/8.....Harry "the Hat" Walker...." or

"Back to return the kick..... number 3.14..... Billy "Pi" Mann......"

 

[selmaborntidefan]

No worries. If someone runs low because they retired too many numbers, you can always start using fractions or decimals.

"Now starting at quarterback, number 6 7/8.....Harry "the Hat" Walker...." or

"Back to return the kick..... number 3.14..... Billy "Pi" Mann......"

One might suspect we could have sponsorship of jerseys with this whole "cash in on my image" thing.

Or XFL nicknames like "He Hate Me."

 

[The Ols]

One might suspect we could have sponsorship of jerseys with this whole "cash in on my image" thing.

Or XFL nicknames like "He Hate Me."

Agreed....How long before we're the Coca Cola Crimson Tide brought to you by Golden Flake playing on Saban Field in Bryant-Denny Stadium!!!

Edit: I'm actually cool with the last part...

 

[4Q Basket Case]

But what if the right players don't want those numbers? Do you assign them anyway, or give them to "lesser" players?

Well, given what it takes to earn the number, and the honor associated with that, I wouldn't see many turndowns happening. In the unusual set of circumstances wherein the player that earned it declined the number (maybe a strong emotional attachment to another number), it would go unawarded that year. Or maybe appear as a small patch on the jersey of the earning player.

But in no case would the actual jersey number be worn by a player who didn't earn it.

Reason being, earning the number means something material. Example: even though he declined it, Player X earned the number. Player Y didn't earn the number and doesn't get to wear it simply because he finished second to the guy who did.

Also anticipating a question: The number doesn't have to be awarded every year. If no player eligible to wear the number exhibits the combination of leadership and performance, both on and off the field, that the guys who made them famous did, nobody wears it. Reevaluate next August.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Agreed....How long before we're the Coca Cola Crimson Tide brought to you by Golden Flake playing on Saban Field in Bryant-Denny Stadium!!!

Edit: I'm actually cool with the last part...

Personally, I think "Coach Field" at "Longer Ago Coach" Stadium is just plain dumb myself.

Change it to Bryant-Denny-Saban Stadium, I have no qualm with that.

 

[The Ols]

Personally, I think "Coach Field" at "Longer Ago Coach" Stadium is just plain dumb myself.

Change it to Bryant-Denny-Saban Stadium, I have no qualm with that.

Cool with that too...Just want CNS in there somewhere...

 

[DogPatch]

Change it to Bryant-Denny-Saban Stadium, I have no qualm with that.

Too many names for me.

 

[DogPatch]

(maybe a strong emotional attachment to another number)

That was my point. With today's kids, they don't necessarily care as much about history, honor, and tradition as they do their own "brand."

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Too many names for me.

Naw, we'll still just call it BDS........

 

[BamaNation]

If a kid won't come because you won't un-retire a number, then I"m going to speculate that's probably not a kid that fits into your program because he doesn't have a full understanding of your history, culture, those who've gone before, etc.

I like what OM does with Chucky Mullins' number and what others have done to make the number special without it being retired.

I'm not into retiring numbers - we would have to start using alpha-numerics if we retired numbers. BUT, if you do retire a number, you better be prepared to keep it retired. That's the whole point.

 

[BamaNation]

That was my point. With today's kids, they don't necessarily care as much about history, honor, and tradition as they do their own "brand."

I tell my students we used to call "worrying about my own brand," narcissism.

 

[DogPatch]

I tell my students we used to call "worrying about my own brand," narcissism.

Still should.