POLL: Do you like the "unretiring" of numbers?

Submitted by Mr. Yost on

I know there is a thread on the announcement of Ford, Oosterbaan and Kramer being honored with "legacy jerseys" rather than a retired number. It's summer, and half the front page starts with "OT:" so it's not like I'm bumping too much Michigan Football related stuff by creating this survey.

I do not want to hi-jack someone else's thread. Also, I feel those threads have some good discussion on "who's next?" and "who's going to wear the new legacy jerseys?"

With that said, and feel free to explain why, or just leave a simple "yes" or a simple "no" --- do you like that Michigan is unretiring numbers in favor of the new Legacy Jersey?

Note: Once this thread moves to the 2nd page, I'll tally up the results and share the MGoPoll for those interested.

French West Indian

June 13th, 2012 at 1:30 PM ^

No. No and no.  I don't like the idea of unretiring numbers at all.  Having the jersey retired was supposed to be an honor but now we are taking it back?  That's like admitting it was a mistake.  Some honor...sheech, are you kidding me?

Having said that, I don't really like the idea of retiring jerseys to begin with.  We all know who the legends are, it's not like they really need to be pointed out to us.  And with a place like Michigan that has had so many great student athletes, it feels like a disservice to single some of them out for special treatment (whether it be jersey retirement, special patches, or whatever).

In sum:

  • I don't like un-retiring jerseys (it's too much like admiting we made a mistake by retiring them in the first place).
  • I don't like patches because they clutter the uniform and are damn stupid.  Welcome to the University of Michigan Boy Scouts...break a record?...Congratulations! You've earned the "Legendary Receivers Patch as sponsored by Braylon Edwards"
  • Yes, I'm old, grumpy, ornery & generally pissed off at the world.

French West Indian

June 13th, 2012 at 3:03 PM ^

It's not much of an honor then, is it?  It's wrong because it is disrespectful to both the original honoree and to whoever or whatever decided that the jersey should be retired in the first place. 

Look, I don't know the circumstances that compelled the University to retire, for example, the jersey of the Wisterts but I'm sure that there was some debate and due consideration given to it at the time it was made. 

Think of it this way, what if the Heisman committee decided that they had also made a mistake in awarding the Heisman to Woodson instead of Peyton Manning and they now decided to take it back to correct their mistake.  That'd be considered total bullshit (except probably in Knoxville) and that's similar to how I feel about un-retiring jersey numbers.  It seems really deisgraceful to me and it undermines the legitimacy of the honors that the University bestows.  Can you even trust that they won't take back your diploma too?

DingleberryFinn.

June 13th, 2012 at 1:40 PM ^

100 percent yes. Should have some type of distinguished characteristic that warrants the number's though, with regards to the players receiving them. All American type talent, 1st team B1G or something.

707oxford

June 13th, 2012 at 1:41 PM ^

Yes - this is better than retiring numbers.

No - I don't really care for players changing numbers before they graduate, and I think the patches are ugly and distract from the classic look of our jerseys (read: our actual jerseys, not some DB variation).

Ultimately I would prefer to see some "ring of honor" or something prominently displayed with columns and placards of the honored players at one of the stadium entrances so people can have their photos taken in front of it.  Bonus: no need for a furry mascot, kids - have your picture taken with a placard!

grumbler

June 13th, 2012 at 1:42 PM ^

I don't like unretiring numbers, but like the idea of not retiring more.  Retired numbers should stay retired because that's what they were - retired.  There are plenty of non-retired numbers.  As pointed out above, the tacit admission that retiring the jerseys was a mistake in the first place leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

Going forward, the patch idea is fine, though I agree it needs to be smaller and less busy so as not to detract from the uniform itself. 

mark5750

June 13th, 2012 at 1:42 PM ^

I like the idea as a recruiting tool like the #1 was prior to Braylon Edwards and the scholorship requirements.  The other way that I have seen tossed around that I like is it being a competition during summer camp or something a player can earn between their redshirt and freshman seasons.

TdK71

June 13th, 2012 at 1:45 PM ^

but dumping the patches and creating a "Ring Of Honor" . I think this is the way for all the great legacies of Michigan football to be displayed for all to see.

It Must be done with class though, the way the Cowboys do it would be the example to follow. IMHO

Hardware Sushi

June 13th, 2012 at 1:58 PM ^

Yes, I'm cool with it. I like it a lot, actually. I don't see what the big deal is...

  • They're still going to be honored with the same numbers.
  • The family members are cool with it
  • It's an awesome recruiting tool
  • We can honor guys that deserve it like Des, AC, Chuck Woodson, and Jake Long

How many people actually know all the retired numbers, especially before we started this Legends business? And I'm not just talking about the MGoBloggers, I'm talking average Michigan fans.

I have no idea what the problem is, actually. Rabblers gonna rabble.

BallZDeeP210

June 13th, 2012 at 2:11 PM ^

It's unique and brings attention to players of the past that the youngsters might never know otherwise.



I'm wondering why everyone thinks they need to be issued each year? Did I miss a statement from DB saying they intend to use them every year? If no one is deserving or wants to change then we shouldn't just give them to anyone. They should be earned on and off the field like Roy did with 21 this year.

trueblueintexas

June 13th, 2012 at 2:23 PM ^

Yes, on a few conditions.

1) Michgian gets a waver so the number can be used at it's original position. If you start passing it around positions (i.e. Ford's #48 being used by Demens), I think it loses the legend aspect a little bit.

2) Only seniors or juniors/sophmores who have already proven themself. No freshman.

3) Player has a choice - Maybe Fitz would like to try to make #28 a legends jersey. Don't make him wear #98 if he doesn't want to. If he doesn't want it, let it sit until a worthy player does.

maizenbluenc

June 13th, 2012 at 2:40 PM ^

and I think the numbers should be awarded after a players first season / not wait until their Senior season.

I really don't like how the #1 is managed.

SeancePrime

June 13th, 2012 at 3:11 PM ^

Yes, I like that we can honor more of the past legends with patches. Patches must be made to look better though, and what happens when two greats wore the same number (see #1 jersey)

Wolverine0056

June 13th, 2012 at 3:18 PM ^

Yes I like the idea. It is a great way to honor the past greats that have played for Michigan while hopefully adding future greats to that jersey number. I know there will never be another Desmond Howard, Tom Harmon or Gerald Ford, but one day we may have a player or two come close and make a name for himself. In my opinion this is a great idea.

jsimms

June 13th, 2012 at 3:18 PM ^

I vote no.  Once a jersey number has been retired it should not be un-retired. However, if the Ford, Oosterbaan, and Kramer families approve of the change, then I do not have a big problem with it.  But I still remember the un-retiring of LB Joe Schmidt's number [another Lions disaster] so I just think it is a bad idea.

jsimms

June 13th, 2012 at 3:18 PM ^

I vote no.  Once a jersey number has been retired it should not be un-retired. However, if the Ford, Oosterbaan, and Kramer families approve of the change, then I do not have a big problem with it.  But I still remember the un-retiring of LB Joe Schmidt's number [another Lions disaster] so I just think it is a bad idea.

FrankMurphy

June 13th, 2012 at 4:08 PM ^

No, I think it's a bad idea. When a jersey number is retired, it means that the player who wore it was so unique and extraordinary on or off the field that it would dishonor his legacy to allow any other player to wear that number. Un-retiring a jersey number destroys that significance.

No other elite football program can claim a former president among its alumni. Retiring his number was a way of emphasizing that distinction. I don't get why we would want to diminish that.

bluewave720

June 13th, 2012 at 4:21 PM ^

That's what I want to see.  I want the players to vote on who has "earned" the right to honor our former greats by wearing the number for only one game of the season.  That puts less pressure on the current player and would make for an interesting side note for the elderly alumni who have come back to campus for a game.  It would be the perfect combination of modernism and nostalgia to provide the coveted WOW factor.  

chitownblue2

June 13th, 2012 at 5:12 PM ^

I think it's really worth noting, given the fact that people keep saying "DON'T FUNNEL SENIORS TO THESE", that no announcement has been made regarding:

a) Whether these jerseys will be filled every year

b) Whether they will be given to seniors, freshman, whatever

c) If there is any criteria as to who gets them

There has only been speculation from Brian. Please do not think that anything regarding this has actually been decided.

Seth

June 15th, 2012 at 12:18 AM ^

It's not just idle speculation. It's speculation based on long-germinating perceptions of how certain decision-makers in that room operate, and the faint hope that a kernel of MGoBlog fans with a strong opinion on this matter might shift things while opinions are still soft.

Don't take this to mean I think enough Michigan fans are readers here -- the hope is that enough donors with the program's ear will be convinced, and that they'll be the only folks expressing opinions on this so early.

Broken Brilliance

June 13th, 2012 at 7:22 PM ^

Love the idea of using the numbers and recognizing the legends with the patches, but would rather have them issued to freshmen rather than having seniors switch. For the purposes of the poll, put me under "yes".

Yooper

June 13th, 2012 at 6:39 PM ^

It is a great idea.  The patch needs to be improved, but it is a unique way to honor Michigan greats on a regular basis.

BlueHills

June 13th, 2012 at 6:55 PM ^

I like it, mainly because I was only vaguely aware which numbers were retired, and for whom.

This way, we're reminded more often of former Michigan greats. That's good for the traditions.