RichRod and #1 is nothing compared to idiot Steve Spurrier
Steve Spurrier and the COCK's OC Duane Wages pulled the ultimate con on Alshon Jeffries and in turn pissed off Shannon Sharpe . I wonder if this was part of the plan on wooing him away from that other USC.
But of course this won't get the type of play like RR got with the honest mistake of giving out the #1 jersey when RR had no idea of the jersey's significance.
http://www.collegefootballtalk.com/2009/02/06/jerseygate-brewing-in-sou…
February 6th, 2009 at 7:17 PM ^
I never understood the big deal with the No. 1 jersey. I never considered it a tradition at Michigan, mainly because I've been a UM football observer before Braylon Edwards.
The only time anyone player had to supposedly "earn" the No.1 jersey, was Braylon Edwards, because Coach Carr was so fed up and pissed off at him in practice for being such a goof off, Lloyd apparently knew of no other way to motivate him.
That's it. Schembechler didn't do this. So why should RichRod?
Greg Willner kicked Michigan PATs from 1977 and 1978 and was freaking good at it. Did Willner get pissed off when Anthony Carter, a WR, received the No. 1 jersey?
No. Because it's all about the team, not any one player.
Did Reggie MacKenzie publicly chastize Bo Schembechler for giving Kurt Becker the No. 65 jersey in 1978? No. Because you couldn't chastize Bo about anything and because it's about the team.
In my view, Rodriguez can do whatever the hell he wants with jersey numbers, unless they are officially retired jersey numbers by the UM Athletic Dept.
Second, Michigan QBs, LBs and cornerbacks should be allowed to No. 1 too.
Otherwise just retire the damn No. 1 jersey alongside that of 87, 11, 48, 47 and 98 and be done with it.
While you're at it, why not retire No. 7 for Rick Leach and Chad Henne, No. 25 for Harlan Huckleby, and No. 41 for Rob Lytle and Andy Cannavino!? How about adding No 40 to the list for the greatest Michigan linebacker ever, Ron Simpkins!?
The answer why not is pretty simple. Pretty soon Michigan will not be able to field a football team because too many jerseys numbers between 1 and 99 have been reserved for former great players, or because self-important NFL receivers want to set rules that do not apply to them, or for which they have zero authority. Edwards should have phoned up Willner, Carter, McMurtry, Alexander, Butterfield, and Terrell before claiming the destination of the No. 1 jersey. Better than that, he should have called up RichRod before going to the press.
It's football. Can't we just let the kids put on a helmet, a jersey and play for crying out loud? No, we can't because Braylon Edwards wanted to play Michigan football fashion cop on the sidelines. Hurray!
February 6th, 2009 at 7:41 PM ^
I am not one for symbolism so a jersey # doesn't really mean squat to me. But, Braylon has his scholarship tied to it so it's something of substance to the team/school/ and players and a WR has to earn it.
February 6th, 2009 at 8:40 PM ^
...and this would be the sound of nothing else anybody says matters.
February 6th, 2009 at 9:11 PM ^
have a problem with Justin Turner coveting the #2 jersey.
February 6th, 2009 at 7:59 PM ^
the athletic department should never have let Braylon tie his scholarship to the #1. His foundation could have put other qualifiers in there (such as the scholarship must be given to a WR, or they must have exhibited certain traits), but essentially this becomes an issue of a former player meddling into the business of the current coach and team, which is completely inappropriate.
Don't get me wrong, I think it's fantastic that Braylon wants to give back. More former players who make the big time should give back to their respective universities like he has, and endowing a scholarship is a fantastic idea. It just never should have been allowed to be tied to a jersey number.
As was said above, it seems like it's only Braylon that particularly "coveted" the number. Now after getting ripped in the media, Rodriguez will either a) never give out the number, or b) feel like he has to ask Braylon's permission and get his blessing before he passes it out to anyone.
Pretty silly, if you ask me.
February 6th, 2009 at 8:17 PM ^
ever think of that? Who the fuck cares? He is giving money and wants it to be used a certain way. Not at all inappropriate or out of the ordinary. It could be a cool tradition if done properly. If it's a big deal then just refuse the damn money.
February 6th, 2009 at 8:25 PM ^
Completely agree, PRR.
February 7th, 2009 at 1:22 AM ^
It's also an effective recruiting tool for attracting recruits who believe in the lore of the #1 Jersey. Why would you want to take away any advantage we can use?
February 7th, 2009 at 3:30 AM ^
If you go back to the old site archives there was a long and spirited debate on this issue that covers just about every argument and viewpoint there is on the #1 jersey. You can feel free to go back and read it if you have time to waste, but what came out of it is that it means something to some people and not to others. Personally I was always into it as most of my favorites players growing up were WRs. Many on here (and more than a few of my WLA brethren) thought it was stupid. It is what it is to you, really.
February 7th, 2009 at 11:44 AM ^
A true "tradition" is something that should be honored and felt by most or all of the people involved. If this "tradition" is only a big deal to half of Michigan fans (or somewhere thereabouts), then I don't think it really counts as a tradition.
But like someone said above, Braylon founded a scholarship fund regarding the #1 jersey, so discussion of its importance is moot, unless the university wants to give back the money and piss off Braylon.
February 8th, 2009 at 3:34 PM ^
Fans aren't the ultimate arbitors of tradition. The guys actually in the program - players (past and present) - are. A lot of our fans probably wouldn't even notice if say, we stopped raising the Go Blue banner, but I'm sure the players would. Ask any Michigan player from the days of AC whether the #1 jersey means something. Think only half of them would care?
February 8th, 2009 at 4:53 PM ^
Ask any player of the Mike Hart era if the #20 matters.
Ask any player from the Jake Long era if the #77 matters.
Ask any player of the Charles Woodson era if the #2 matters.
Ask any player of the Tom Harmon era if the #98 matters.
Ask any player of the Jim Harbaugh era if the #4 matters.
Etc.
Ask any player of the pre-Go Blue banner days if their pregame rituals mattered.
Etc.
February 10th, 2009 at 10:47 AM ^
Just throwing this in about Steve Spurrier-the look on his face during South Carolina's 56-6 loss at Florida this year was priceless (Florida scored 21 in the fourth quarter). Although any recruit away from USC is good for me.
Besides, the number one isn't really that big of a deal-but maybe only good receivers can wear it. It only has significance because of Braylon Edwards' scholarship. That's all.