Legends Jerseys: Speculation

Submitted by megalomanick on

Yesterday we did captains, how about Legends numbers today? Most of them are currently unoccupied:

11 - ?
21 - ?
47 - Jake Ryan
48 - Desmond Morgan
87 - ?
98 (after ND) - ?

With that, begin speculation!

My guesses are 11 T.Gordon, 21 Gallon or Dileo, 87 Funchess, 98 Washington (assuming this will go to a D-lineman)

Thoughts?

M_Jason_M

August 11th, 2013 at 8:10 AM ^

Gordon makes sense. If they give out 21 (Are they giving out every number every year, or just when they feel like someone deserves it?) then Gallon is the only option. Funchess will not get one as a true sophomore, but I don't know who should get it. Washington for 98 seems good. Also, can Lewan wear any of the numbers? If so, definitely deserves one.

teldar

August 11th, 2013 at 10:33 AM ^

When 77 gets joins the honored jersey numbers, what name goes on it. I would say that Lewan is doing a hell of a job of keeing up with Jake Long. Maybe not quite as good, but well... Who is? I would say there should be two patches on the 77 jersey next time it gets worn, or at least some time in the future. Maybe the players should retire from football before they are so honored?

 

jsquigg

August 11th, 2013 at 4:02 PM ^

I'm really not a fan of the patches or retired jerseys in college.  Doing a ring of honor or hall of fame would be better.  I like seeing several greats wear the same number and the idea that the program is bigger than any player while still honoring those players without retiring the numbers.  Seeing Kovacs number changed was criminal to me.  I like seeing players make their own numbers special.  Just my two cents.

Blue in Yarmouth

August 12th, 2013 at 8:04 AM ^

I thought the intention was to have whatever legends wore the number on the patch. For instance 77 would have both Lewan and Long on it. If that wasn't the intention, they should make that their intention as it wouldn't be too difficult to put two names on the patch. 

TrppWlbrnID

August 11th, 2013 at 8:11 AM ^

Is that ineligible receivers are 50-79. Other than that, it recommends that numbers follow the nfl model, but it is not a hard and fast rule. 98 is listed as a number for "ends" which means the Harmon jersey could be just about anyone. I would support gallon for 98, it would look cool to see a big number on a little guy and he really is about as versatile as a football player can be these days with the recovering and returning.

MGoStrength

August 11th, 2013 at 8:43 AM ^

Personally, I hope none of the seniors change their numbers because I'm used to them the way they are.  Gallon and Gordon have been wearing their numbers for so long they would look weird in a different one.  I'm not a big fan of seniors changing their number when they've been wearing the same one for 3 years already and have been contrubuting because fans are used to seeing them in that number.  Sophomores or juniors are OK because you don't have as much time invested in another number and you have time to get used to a new one. I never got used to Roundtree or Kovacs numbers last year.  I'd prefer they use them on special players that are already proven all-conference types as sophomores or juniors and if we don't have any guys that fit that mold then don't use them.  We don't have to use them every year IMO.

Blue in Yarmouth

August 12th, 2013 at 8:13 AM ^

I really hate people changing their numbers as well. I hated seeing Devin change to number 12. It isn't like the number 7 can't be worn my a WR, plus I love the #7 for a QB...Oh well.

My thing about the lengends jersey's is 1) I really don't like the idea. SOmeone above mentioned a hall of fame or something and I think anything would be better than what we're doing short of retiring numbers, that really makes no sense in the college game.

The way I would like to see it done is giving them only to upper classmen who have stood out in some major way that doesn't include on field performance. These would be players that had decent to good careers from a statistical standpoint, but were also leaders in the locker room and the practice field etc. Honor them with the legends patch in the final season or two.

I would like to see underclassmen be given the chance to make their own numbers "legends" and be given the opportunity to carve out a spot for their patch for future wolverines. If you gave them a legends number and then they turned out a legendary career you'd have to do something (like add their name to the patch) to honor them as well, while if it was the other way they could simply make their number a legends number as well.

Anyway, that is my .02 on the subject, you can take it for what it's worth....about .02.

turd ferguson

August 11th, 2013 at 8:50 AM ^

I wonder how the players feel about these things. I feel like I'd be tempted to say, "Coach, I love the Wistert brothers and the history of our program, but that's just not my number." The BYU stuff makes me think I'm not alone.



I kind of wish they'd do what they've been doing with numbers but just make the legends patches permanent fixtures of certain numbers. In other words, don't worry whether a guy seems good or experienced enough to wear one - and don't have guys switch numbers to get these things. Just leave a patch on there to remind us every time we see, say, someone wear #21 that we had a pretty damn good receiver wear that number a few years back.



Then again, I think earning the #1 jersey is pretty cool, unique, and special.

Leonhall

August 11th, 2013 at 9:02 AM ^

Wish they would give them to underclassmen. Also, I really wish they wouldn't even give out Ole 98, honestly, who is even close to earning that jersey?

WichitanWolverine

August 11th, 2013 at 9:03 AM ^

Am I the only one who really dislikes this Legends jersey thing?

I love the #1 jersey gig, and will embrace the #2 jersey, but to put a big patch on someone's uni to pay homage to an ancient icon that none of us have ever seen play sort of takes away the player's identity to me.

I admit the two aren't all that different but it just doesn't sit right with me for some reason.

/endrant

Litt1e Rhino

August 11th, 2013 at 9:40 AM ^

I agree with you to some degree. Players should pick the number they want and play their careers with it making their own identity. It would get very boring if every year people of the same position are wearing the same jersey. The number 1 jersey is the only one I hold

I love the patch though. I see nothing wrong with giving respects to former greats. But players like gallon should keep their numbers (I like him in 10). Hes making his own legacy in my mind. Legends jerseys shouldn't just go out to our best players every year. What's wrong with guys who never see the field wanting to honor great players? It would be special to the guy who busts his ass in practice but just can't seem to get through the depth chart. We as fans are blowing this legends thing a little out of proportion, but hey this is just my opinion and I may be the minority here.

MGoStrength

August 11th, 2013 at 12:35 PM ^

Yes, I think it's hard for many under the age of 40 to relate to any of the jersey's other than the #21.  We probably relate better to #1 & #2 and they aren't even "legends".  But, most of us never saw the other legends play.  Although we appreciate the history and tradition we simply aren't invested in the numbers in the same way we would be had we actually watched them play.

Perkis-Size Me

August 11th, 2013 at 10:58 AM ^

I don't know who you could justify giving Ol' 98 to. I love this team, and I don't want to make light of the talent of any man wearing the Maize and Blue, but I'm not sure anyone is worthy of wearing that jersey.

Billy Ray Valentine

August 11th, 2013 at 11:25 AM ^

I completely understand the points coming from those who dislike the program.  I agree that it was difficult to adapt last year to Roundtree and Morgan wearing completely new numbers.  I also fear the sceario in which someone is on the brink of earning "Legends" status, but they change numbers prior to their junior or senior year.  I also wish there is more transparency in how players are selected. 

 

All that said, I think the pros outweigh the cons.  The Legends program is OUR program.  Every NFL and college team retires numbers.  We are the stakeholders for this program.

 

We encourage current players and coaches to appreciate the past in a way that transcends a plaque on a wall or on a stadium concourse.  The fact that there are "legend lockers" is brilliant.  Can you imagine a recruit walking through the locker room and seeing one of those lockers -- and dreaming of having their name on a locker for immortality?

 

IMHO, I like the idea of juniors and seniors, who are good, not great, getting legend patches, so long as the decision is mutual, between player, his teammates, and his coaches.  Some sophomores are OK because I trust this coaching staff.  I also would allow average players, but great locker room leaders, to become eligible as well.  No freshman.  No bad character guys.

 

I want great players to keep their numbers.  I want to see new legend numbers, in addition to the inevitable #2.  I love Gallon and Gordon, but they are good, not great.  If they want it, it shoud be theirs.      

mgobaran

August 12th, 2013 at 8:30 AM ^

I just don't think they should be "forced" onto a player. If a player wants a certain number, they can change to it, or if a freshman wants to have a legends number, go ahead IMO. The player can wear the number in honor of the legend, but it's not like they should have to live up to the number. 

There are years numbers just dont get used, and if a legends number happens to not be used one year, I say so be it. 

BlueinLansing

August 11th, 2013 at 12:18 PM ^

see guys carve out their own history and legacy in their own numbers.  Its a nice idea, but what if Charles Woodson had been asked to wear #11 instead of #2 his Jr. year.

BallZDeeP210

August 11th, 2013 at 12:50 PM ^

Woodson was actually asked to wear number 24 (or he probably chose it) for the Oakland Raiders after his junior year. But to your point, I would imagine these kids are asked, not forced, to change numbers. If they think that they could possibly make their number a legends jersey in the future then I would bet the coaches would allow them to try.

bacon

August 11th, 2013 at 2:03 PM ^

I like the idea that these numbers are earned for on field performance. However, I agree with the downside that there's a risk that really great Michigan players will never get their number to become legends numbers (because they wear the legend numbers). That said, at a place like Michigan, most numbers were worn at some point by a really great player, so it's not like there isn't history to every number.

West German Judge

August 11th, 2013 at 2:17 PM ^

Ideally, the legends jerseys would be awarded to the unheralded seniors that display wonderful leadership.  I'm all for young players having the incentive to pave the way for a new jersey to become legendary and-not unrelatedly-I would prefer to not have to get used to switches mid-career away from an already recognizable number.

I would give Desmond's #21 to walk-on WR Joe Reynolds.