Let's Retire #2
There needs to be a petition started to get the #2 permanently retired from the football squad. I understand that this typically goes to graduates (my guess is he hasn't completed his degree program yet), but this donation is just as important, maybe more important, as Stephen Ross' donation to the business school and Bill Davidson's donation. I believe there is even a donor's name on the position of athletic director. This donation is dedicated to the immediate business of saving and preserving lives.
Can that be done on this site? Can we do it somewhere else if it's not doable here? I am a web designer, so I am definitely ready to get to work on this. I know this is the farthest thing from C-Wood's mind, but I think it would be a great gesture to show that we not only appreciate his on-field work, but appreciate and admire his off-field leadership. Just think if Tom Brady, Steve Hutchinson and others follow.
If this does not exemplify "Leaders and Best", what does?
November 27th, 2009 at 12:51 AM ^
I don't think we should retire #2, but rather treat #2 like we treat #1 (but, obviously, for cornerbacks).
November 27th, 2009 at 3:31 PM ^
That's an excellent idea. There are just too many great players to retire all of those numbers.
November 27th, 2009 at 1:05 AM ^
You can't retire #2. Since Woodson, it has been thought of as iconic by fans. Why take away a recruiting tool?
November 27th, 2009 at 1:34 AM ^
JT is going to show what the #2 means again!
November 27th, 2009 at 1:57 AM ^
for my buddy's sake. He has a pretty tainted Adidas #2 (read: McGuffie) jersey sitting in his closet that I'd love to see proudly sported on gameday again.
Also, don't count out VS' Pahokee Power on the O side of the ball.
November 27th, 2009 at 6:13 AM ^
I'm not a big fan of college numbers being retired. Not only is it a recruiting tool, but there are only 99 numbers to go around. We already have three numbers retired (I think), so a fourth just pares down the options even further.
November 27th, 2009 at 10:43 AM ^
Don't know how that matters, you can have two players on the roster have the same number, and there are no position restrictions on numbers like there are in the NFL. Having a few retired numbers doesn't really impact available numbers that much at all.
November 27th, 2009 at 12:22 PM ^
We have five numbers retired:
#11 - the three Wistert brothers
#47 - Bennie Oosterbaan
#48 - Gerald Ford
#87 - Ron Kramer
#98 - Tom Harmon
November 27th, 2009 at 5:16 PM ^
I remembered the Wisterts, Ford, and Harmon. I forgot Oosterbaan and Kramer.
November 27th, 2009 at 7:43 AM ^
I think it is a nice thought, but I would hate to never see the #2 being worn at UM again. I agree with the first poster who said we should treat it like the #1 Jersey except on defence. Here's to Turner bringing the magic back!
November 27th, 2009 at 9:11 AM ^
Am I missing something? Doesn't Vincent Smith have it now?
November 27th, 2009 at 9:57 AM ^
Sounds like most agree that retiring the number isn't a great idea but clearly Charles Woodson's donation is deserving of special recognition. Although I'm not a Yankee fan I like the busts of great players they have beyond the outfield fence (I think that is where it is). Any other thoughts? One of my relatives is having lunch with someone in the Athletic Department this week - I'll ask him to pass along the best idea.
November 27th, 2009 at 10:07 AM ^
Retiring numbers in college is stupid. You can sell recruits on the idea of wearing a storied number, etc.
November 27th, 2009 at 10:25 AM ^
..It would give the appearnce that it costs $2 million to have your number retired.
November 27th, 2009 at 2:05 PM ^
... or win the heisman and a NC. If any recent player deserved to have his number retired it is unquestionably CW. But I'd rather see the #2 go to a top corner.
November 27th, 2009 at 10:59 AM ^
of making #2 the defensive version of #1. #1 will always be AC to me and #2 is CW, awesome donation or not.
From this point forward, the coaches should make a player eanr the right to wear number #2.
November 27th, 2009 at 11:17 AM ^
I believe we have 5 numbers retired:
11 for the Wistert brothers
47 for Gerald Ford
48 for Bennie Oosterbaan
87 for Ron Kramer
98 for Tom Harmon
I could have #47-48 backwards, but I don't think so.
November 27th, 2009 at 12:33 PM ^
That is an excellent point made. The use of the #2 like the #1 on offense would be spectacular.
If the school were to get innovative and want to honour individuals I suggest they could place the names permanently for seating sections (thus on tix it would read):
Section 1
Gerald Ford
Row 11
Seat 3
etc. You could easily add "recognition" plaques etc. at the exterior of the stadium above each number with a bust of the player/coach etc. (No need to mess up the interior ambience with Dallas Cowboy like names all over the place).
Another option would be some type of Circle of Excellence on the blue exterior sections of the stadium. Given the size of the place you could do a lot of this. Personally I like option a) which is more subdued but evident with ongoing recognition in print on every ticket.
Best wishes all.
November 27th, 2009 at 2:14 PM ^
Do we need that? We've always emphasized the team over the individual. I'd like to keep it that way. If anything, I'd like to re-issue the five numbers that are retired. (That will obviously never happen, but in general I'm not a fan of retiring a number that is worn for only 3-4 years at a time by anyone.)
November 29th, 2009 at 12:19 PM ^
I think that would be an awesome idea. Walking up to the stadium and you see a giant moral/plaque/bust of charles outside the stadium or Harmon. that would be cool, really cool. The tickets idea is pretty cool too. I also havd no idea why you got negged.
November 27th, 2009 at 2:45 PM ^
If you were going to do some recognition then I would not retire any numbers. The tix idea was, to my mind, a very subtle way to recognize greatness (a small name under the section). Small plaques in bronze under the section number on the brick...nothing more. If it was up to me they'd put Bo's "the team, the team, the team" speech in bronze letters somewhere around the stadium so everyone could read it weekly (bet that would cost tho...)
Best wishes.