Rumor: Gardner to wear Ol 98
Commence purely opinion based arguments on history and This Is Michigan and Hoke does/does not get it.
September 7th, 2013 at 10:55 AM ^
doesn't necessarily imply I like the number-switching. It should be something special, to be used sparingly.
September 7th, 2013 at 10:56 AM ^
Much of the grumbling has been that Gardner isn't a captain but being handed the second most infamous jersey (thanks Braylon).
September 7th, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^
Famous not infamous!
infamous: having a reputation of the worst kind : notoriously evil <aninfamous traitor>
September 7th, 2013 at 11:15 AM ^
Why is 98 "infamous"?
September 7th, 2013 at 11:17 AM ^
hey look - it's a male plane!
September 7th, 2013 at 11:43 AM ^
They are infamous.
"Later on, you can kiss me on the veranda."
"Lips are fine."
September 7th, 2013 at 10:55 AM ^
Have heard this was something decided before the season but ND circled due to history of final game and to tap the Legacy/memorable events button.
September 7th, 2013 at 10:57 AM ^
I didn't realize that was even a legal number for a QB. Not a fan of these legends jersey things at all.
September 7th, 2013 at 10:59 AM ^
According to NCAA rule book, Rule 1 Section 4 Article 1 recommends numbering as follows for offensive players;
Backs 1–49
Snapper 50–59
Guard 60–69
Tackle 70–79
End 80–99
Otherwise all player must be numbered 1–99, the NCAA makes no stipulation on defensive players. Two players may also share the same number though they may not play during the same down.
September 7th, 2013 at 11:07 AM ^
Then why are Defensive Ends wearing single digit numbers? Our own Henry Poggi is #7. Clowney wears #7, and ND's Big Louis Nix wears #1.
September 7th, 2013 at 11:11 AM ^
IT'S RECOMMENDED C'Mon man read....
September 7th, 2013 at 11:20 AM ^
TIGHT Ends. Those were all offensive positions. =/
September 7th, 2013 at 11:28 AM ^
Technically WRs are also "Ends" in the NCAA rulebook nomenclature.
September 7th, 2013 at 4:45 PM ^
Otherwise all player must be numbered 1–99, the NCAA makes no stipulation on defensive players.
September 7th, 2013 at 11:33 AM ^
>Two players may also share the same number though they may not play during the same down.
Unless you are ND and it's for a game winning FG for the opponents that would have been switched first down if this rule were applied.
September 7th, 2013 at 11:00 AM ^
I thought I had heard that the NCAA rule basically says something about its "strongly recommended" that certain positions where certain numbers. I thought there was some wiggleroom that would let this happen.
September 7th, 2013 at 12:39 PM ^
It is recommended but they don't have to. The NFL is way more strict with their numbers, which is dumb IMO, as I don't see what the big deal is about a quarterback donning a number higher than nineteen. If a player, no matter the position, wants to wear, say, 67, let him. I mean who really cares which number a guy wears? I never understood the "that's a weird number for <insert position>" argument.
September 7th, 2013 at 10:58 AM ^
This is stupid. It's not just about Gardner wearing 98, it is just the fact that number 98 should never be worn. Ever.
September 7th, 2013 at 11:06 AM ^
Someone gets it. Could have used your support in the other thread.
September 7th, 2013 at 11:21 AM ^
Why retire jerseys? I don't understand it. Does have someone wearing a jersey diminish the accomplishments of Harmon? Saying you could wear the 1 jersey is a recruiting tool, why not number 98? This isn't meant as an attack I just don't understand how having a new star player wear a jersey diminishes a players legacy.
September 7th, 2013 at 11:28 AM ^
Because Harmon is the only Michigan player to ever wear it. Just doesn't seem right.
September 7th, 2013 at 12:27 PM ^
Dude drop it, if his son is fine with it you should be too.
September 7th, 2013 at 4:31 PM ^
retiring jerseys is dumb to begin with. Gardner deserves it.
September 7th, 2013 at 11:27 AM ^
What makes 98 more special than the other jerseys that were retired and brought back into circulation?
September 7th, 2013 at 4:17 PM ^
Not sure it is more special, but I'd say here are some reasons why people might feel that it is:
- arguably best and most versatile player in M history
- first Heisman trophy winner for UM
- Scored every point vs OSU in 1940 and received a standing ovation for his performance. In Columbus.
- ran away from the whole Cal team, then stiff armed a drunk Cal fan at the three yard line before waltzing into the end zone
- inspired a feature film title "Harmon of Michigan"
- enlisted in the Army Air Corps in WW II. Plane shot down over South America, an he walked to Dutch Guiana and rejoined the war effort. Then his P-38 was shot down over Japanese occupied China. He survived and received both a Purple Heart and the Silver Star for his efforts, and his parachute was used as material for his wife's wedding dress
In short, amazing football player and a great American.
September 7th, 2013 at 11:37 AM ^
I really don't care. While there are things that would annoy me:
----Renaming Michigan Stadium "Domino's Field"
----Get rid of the marching band
----Playing Don't Stop Belivein' during an important 4th quarter drive (oh wait, they do do that)
....this just doesn't get me all riled up. Maybe my bar is set too high on the annoyance/outrageometer, but for me a number doesn't represent anything, and the sharing of numbers diminishes neither the accomplishments of those who wore it before nor the achievements of those wearing it now.
September 7th, 2013 at 12:37 PM ^
I concur.
September 7th, 2013 at 10:57 AM ^
Hoke can do whatever he wants. He has assembled a super young, but super talented team. He has recruited extremely well and is building a program that WILL WIN a national championship. Of the current 115 players on the team, 81 are 1st or 2nd year players. That will translate to championships once those players are all seasoned.
Whatever Hoke decides, I support 110%.
September 7th, 2013 at 2:36 PM ^
81 players are underclassmen?
That is something the media would probably really like to talk about.
September 7th, 2013 at 11:00 AM ^
#numberz
#fashionz
#mylawn
#BigHouseVogue
#fireDaveBranding
September 7th, 2013 at 11:00 AM ^
Since this was started, I have thought they should just give the numbers out normally to the freshmen with the expectation that if you don't live up to the number in terms of character and leadership then the number can be taken away.
September 7th, 2013 at 11:25 AM ^
Like Tate's wings?
September 7th, 2013 at 11:05 AM ^
It's true all I can say
September 7th, 2013 at 11:30 AM ^
Don't say it, PROVE it....
September 7th, 2013 at 11:08 AM ^
It would have made sense for them to have #12 jersey in authentic and premier varieties but they haven't. Maybe they knew the jersey 98 would go to Gardner and didn't want to piss off people by dropping that big money on a jersey that would be changed that soon after the season starts.
September 7th, 2013 at 2:20 PM ^
I bought my 1 and a half year old son a number 12 jersey before the 1st game, and would be bummed if Gardner switched to 98. I guess I'm the sucker they're trying to get go out and get the 98 also. Sigh.
September 7th, 2013 at 11:08 AM ^
I'm hearing rumbles that they come out in long sleeves and BROWN helmets tonight after warm-ups.
September 7th, 2013 at 11:09 AM ^
Well at least I'll still know who he is since he gets the ball every snap.
September 7th, 2013 at 11:12 AM ^
It would be nice to see Gardner win a big game first before giving him a Legends number. I think that this will put too much pressure on Devin tonight. He will be pressing to make something happen that will probably lead to a back breaking int.
September 7th, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^
Since when does wearing a jersey put more pressure on you? Unless the jersey is 2 sizes too small I'm going to guess he'll have the same amount of pressure he would have had wearing the #12 jersey.
September 7th, 2013 at 11:16 AM ^
Too much.
September 7th, 2013 at 12:43 PM ^
I don't care about the pressure, but more the fact that legends numbers should only be given to deserving recipients. I love Gardner, but honestly what has he really accomplished so far?
September 7th, 2013 at 11:19 AM ^
I blame the Freep.
September 7th, 2013 at 11:20 AM ^
This whole thing is idiotic.
September 7th, 2013 at 11:31 AM ^
Couldn't agree with you more.
September 7th, 2013 at 4:33 PM ^
I think people who care about jerseys are idiotic.
September 7th, 2013 at 4:40 PM ^
You whine a LOT
September 7th, 2013 at 11:29 AM ^
I agree with others that having guys switch jerseys during the season is annoying but still, I think the idea of a QB wearing 98 is pretty cool.
September 7th, 2013 at 5:29 PM ^
I am all for Gardner wearing 98 for TWO seasons.