Gallon (21), Avery (11), Funchess (87) get Legends Jerseys
Very deserving.
Avery, Funchess, Gallon to Don Michigan Football Legends Jerseys: http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082713aad.html … pic.twitter.com/BOvlZtjtcg
August 27th, 2013 at 12:24 PM ^
Yeah, I think over time this will seem cooler, and I particularly like the idea of being accountable to the number, but right now, it feels forced.
If you compare it to the #1, that kind of evolved organically from Carter to Alexander to Terrell to Edwards. It was probably a mistake to stop awarding it, or to give Edwards control over it (it's never been clear to me how much control Braylon has, but regardless...)
As an initiative of the AD, this feels like a marketing attempt, but once we've had 5 people or so wear each legends number, fans might come to associate them with the long line of players that have worn them, and they might acquire the same feel as the #1, of a number initiated by a great that then has a bunch of memorable players wearing it, a number that current players strive to wear in the same way Braylon sought out the #1. And having prominent juniors and seniors switching jersey numbers will come to be a tradition of the program.
But for the first few years, it's going to feel awkward.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:21 PM ^
McMurtry (between Carter and Alexander and smooth as silk). Butterfield (between Alexander and Terrell).
Carter, McMurtry, Butterfield, and Terrell were given #1 from the get-go. Alexander and Edwards "earned" it after one or two years in a different number (at least I think this was the case for Alexander).
August 27th, 2013 at 11:26 AM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 11:27 AM ^
There has got to be a better way to reward high achievement.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:33 PM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 11:27 AM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 11:28 AM ^
Still one more change to come...98 for the ND game right? I like this Legends program, but at the same time I hate it. I think my head is gonna explode.
August 27th, 2013 at 11:29 AM ^
Playing musical chairs with jersey numbers is a stupid idea and, frankly, an insult to the original men who had the honor of having their jersey "retired".
Clearly, an old tradition means nothing at Michigan when a whiz-bang AD can scrap it for a new "tradition".
August 27th, 2013 at 11:37 AM ^
it's a nice way to keep the numbers in circulation while still honoring the greats who wore it before. i dont think having one of the team captains, the top wide reciever and top tight end wearing the jerseys would be insulting to anybody.
August 27th, 2013 at 12:46 PM ^
be true if these guys were picking these numbers when they came in. They are picking the numbers they want and then being given these numbers. It was said above, give these numbers to who wants them with a patch commemorating the legend.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:08 PM ^
He came in and Hemmingway had it. Roy Roundtree (a Senior, who put up huge numbers as a sophomore) took it over last year, now Gallon has had his first chance at it. How do you know he didn't want to be 21 when he got here, but couldn't due to it being in use?
August 27th, 2013 at 1:28 PM ^
"...having one of the team captains, the top wide reciever and top tight end wearing the jerseys would be insulting to anybody."
We're talking about men who went to their graves believing that Michigan was honoring them by retiring the number from circulation but now that they're dead we ask their grandkids for permission and then put the number back in circulation with a girl scout patch on it. That is insulting.
And is there any other team in all of sports that has engaged in such idiocy? Or is this unique to our AD genius?
August 27th, 2013 at 11:30 AM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 11:36 AM ^
FITZ!
August 27th, 2013 at 11:51 AM ^
I'd love to see 98 go to Michigan's top RB.
August 27th, 2013 at 8:28 PM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 11:33 AM ^
If they want to honor the "legends" (former Michigan greats and not 1/2 of the B1G, the teams within which I couldn't tell you), why not keep it simple? Put a small sticker on the helmet. That's it. No stupid, overly wordy patch. No confusion. The kids get a chance to make their own number legendary and the meaning of "legend" doesn't get watered down.
Dave Brandon, I like that you hired Hoke. I like that you standarized the Block M. But dude, less is more. With the uniforms. With the shitty Jock Jamz. With the legends patches. With the tweeting. With the weird seating policies. Less is more.
August 27th, 2013 at 11:34 AM ^
Seriously, I'm sure the kids wanted these numbers. Heck I would want the same number as Desmond Howard and or the Wistert brothers! I'm sure there's bigger issues with the football team than players changing numbers like getting ready season.
August 27th, 2013 at 11:38 AM ^
See below. Maybe I'm young, but the thought of wearing the same number as the Wistert brothers doesn't really gather my excitement. It almost seems like a punishment.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:27 PM ^
Billy Ray: What is something that Jordan Kovacs never said.
Trebeck: Correct, Billy Ray! Your next selection.
Billy Ray: I'll stay in that same category and take "Michigan fans complaining for the sake of complaining" for $1000.
August 27th, 2013 at 11:34 AM ^
Gallon should have gotten the number 1!
August 27th, 2013 at 11:35 AM ^
I hate, hate, hate these things. Let these guys make a name for themselves in their own numbers. Why are we so big on forcing guys to wear numbers of legends they'll never live up to??
/end rant
August 27th, 2013 at 11:43 AM ^
people have always worn the same number....
do you remember oh that number 77 was great for us that season oh what was his name. no you remember jake long or taylor lewan or whoever else wore it before them.
Are you going to get confused with chesson and manningham confused because they both are/were #86
Does tom brady, steven threet and jeremy gallon not each have their own legacy in the #10?
each player makes the jersey his own,
August 27th, 2013 at 11:54 AM ^
Not my point. My point is that they should make a name for themselves in a number that they chose. Why do we need to all of the sudden change it in order to honor someone else?? Why can't they stick with the number they chose and be the best person to play in that number? I don't get why we have to imply "no one ever accomplished anything in 17, so now your #87 Devin. Live up to it". Seems forced.
August 27th, 2013 at 8:33 PM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 1:13 PM ^
I'd like to see it, please.
August 27th, 2013 at 11:37 AM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 11:38 AM ^
This is dumb. Hate you Brandon.
August 27th, 2013 at 11:38 AM ^
would have been to incorporate their name and number in the architecture of the new additions facing the field. I've never been in favor of giving somebody a different number simply to honor some player who's long been retired, and it doesn't have anything to do with being confused.
Players should make their own legacy with the number they come in with, or are changed to for logistical team reasons. I don't think that Gallon or Funchess will equal or honor the accomplishments of Howard or Kramer with their play on the field, and that's not a knock on Jeremy or Devin. They need to be recognized in their own right for their own accomplishments, whatever they are.
I suspect this is just another tactic to get UM fans to buy jerseys and other memorabilia.
August 27th, 2013 at 11:38 AM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 11:40 AM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 11:56 AM ^
Also, the patch is wordy and ugly.
August 27th, 2013 at 11:42 AM ^
Anyone have Brandon's email? We need to send him these responses.
August 27th, 2013 at 8:36 PM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 11:42 AM ^
This is all Braylon Edwards' fault. He dropped the ball with this number 1 jersey "rewarding" garbage. Now the disease is spreading.
August 27th, 2013 at 4:05 PM ^
Except Carr is the one who told him he needed to earn the number.
August 27th, 2013 at 11:43 AM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 11:44 AM ^
I highly doubt anyone made them switch numbers.
August 27th, 2013 at 11:48 AM ^
I doubt Gallon asked to switch. He's always been #10, and that's what people know him as. Why would he want to give up that identity and confuse the crowd?
August 27th, 2013 at 11:51 AM ^
I seriously, seriously doubt "confusing the crowd" is high on the list of priorities for these guys. Even if they didn't ask for these, they still accepted the offers. Anyone who thinks they were forced upon specific players is kidding themselves.
August 27th, 2013 at 11:56 AM ^
I'm not saying they were forced to, but being "honored" with a Legends jersey then during it down is probably frowned upon. The same frowns that Gallon and Avery are wearing in that photo.
August 27th, 2013 at 12:28 PM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 12:55 PM ^
This.
Don't like those quotation marks around the word "honored."
Curse you for making me use them here.
August 27th, 2013 at 8:38 PM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 11:44 AM ^
So i think my answer is yes but...do these guys wear these numbers all season ?
August 27th, 2013 at 11:45 AM ^
"I feel it's a great way to honor seniors."
Funchess is in no way a Senior.
August 27th, 2013 at 11:45 AM ^
What happens if these guys become "legends" in their own right? If Gallon puts up the monster year everyone is predicting of him, shouldn't he be honored at some point? Will they use #21 (a number that should forever be tied to Desmond) or #10 (a number that he won't have worn his senior year)? I think the idea here is fine, but it's a little short-sighted.
August 27th, 2013 at 11:52 AM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 11:46 AM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 11:49 AM ^
Are you??