Legends Jerseys

Submitted by pullin4blue on
After last night I was wondering about the Legends Jerseys. Does a legends jersey supercede other jerseys? For example, Jeremy Gallon had a very Braylonesque night. In Braylon's best game against MSU in 1994 he was 11 for 189 and 3 TD. Last night, Gallon was 8 for 184 and 3 TD. Although wears the Desmond Howard legends jersey would there ever be consideration of the number 1? Would a WR rather wear the number 1 or would they rather wear a legends jersey? Does anyone on the board know anything about this? Thanks .

Wolverine Devotee

September 8th, 2013 at 3:51 PM ^

#1 is losing its shine IMO. Hasn't been worn in almost a decade, there have been arguments inside and outside the program on the rules of it. 

The whole "earning it" thing started when Braylon requested it and Lloyd told him "no, you have to earn it". Nobody else went through this. They were just given it. AC, McMurtry, Alexander, Butterfield (ugh) and Terrell.

The only time it didn't work out was Ty Butterfield. 4/5 ain't bad. I think they should just give it to an incoming freshman. That is how it all began. Bo made sure to give it to Anthony Carter, his prized recruit, the #1 jersey. 

The Legends program is working. Did you hear how many times Brent was talking about what player was wearing which Legends jersey? Saying the names of the Legends and telling the story. In the primetime national game. 

There won't be many more Legends unless someone wins a Heisman. Woodson isn't going to be inducted until he graduates. Which makes sense but I don't blame him for going to the NFL. What more could he have accomplished on the football field here?

Bill in Birmingham

September 8th, 2013 at 4:46 PM ^

Could not disagree more. I am not going to disparage Desmond Howard, a great player and a great guy. But Carter was to me, with Chares Woodson being the only possible exception, the greatest Michigan player in the 40 years I have followed them. I think many view the #1 as the Braylon jersey. This jersey should reflect Carter's stature to the program....he was transformational. It was his unique talent that led Bo to embrace the passing game leading to Michigan becoming the QB/WR U for fifteen years. Now having said that, it is really awkward to give the 21 (which Desmond absolutely deserves) and not the one, or vice versa.

chitownblue2

September 8th, 2013 at 3:38 PM ^

I bet you gallon doesn't care. Braylon has been too busy getting run out of the NFL to bestow the honor. I'm starting to think he gave the cash just to unofficially retire the number.

TheBigAC

September 8th, 2013 at 4:22 PM ^

http://www.michigandaily.com/sports/loneliest-number-how-five-men-made-jersey-tradition?page=0,12

Stan sets the story straight real quick. When Braylon established the $500,000 scholarship fund for receivers to carry on the No. 1 tradition, it was the school that brought it to him in writing: you will be consulted on who gets to wear the jersey.

Wolverine Devotee

September 8th, 2013 at 3:40 PM ^

Also in other jersey number and WR related news, freshman Da'Mario Jones changed his number from #14 to #10 last night. They just updated the roster.

Michigasling

September 8th, 2013 at 4:08 PM ^

Saw a #10 on a photo from last night and was very confused. 

Hmm.  For those who feared honored current players could no longer make their own legends, we see the most recent #10 is becoming enough of a legend in his own right that his old number can be an inspiration to those coming up.

Blue Carcajou

September 8th, 2013 at 3:41 PM ^

#21 is the new #1, basically.

On that note, I wouldn't be surprised if #2 became a Legends Jersey for a cornerback in the next couple years. But, what's the significance of #98, best overall player? Regardless, Gardner did Harmon proud last night.

Sten Carlson

September 8th, 2013 at 3:47 PM ^

DG's final regular season game (I hope) will be in Columbus next year. I'm hoping that New 98's final performance is similar to Ole 98's final performance in which:

"In his final football game (against Ohio State), Harmon led the Wolverines to a 40–0 victory, scoring three rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, four extra points, intercepting three passes, and punting three times for an average of 50 yards. In an unprecedented display of sportsmanship and appreciation, the Ohio State fans in Columbus gave Harmon a standing ovation at game's end.[3] No other Wolverine player has been so honored, before or since." Wikipedia

artds

September 8th, 2013 at 3:57 PM ^

I think Hoke is trying to eliminate the #1 jersey, which I support. It draws too much attention from the defense is nowhere as cool or unique as the legends jersey thing.

artds

September 8th, 2013 at 3:59 PM ^

Plus Braylon was kind of a cock to Hoke and his staff about not offering his little brother, and Braylon still weilds some control over who gets the jersey with his donation to the athletic department. I dont want a guy like Braylon meddling too much in our coaching staff's decision making.

LSAClassOf2000

September 8th, 2013 at 4:01 PM ^

I couldn't find the precise article, but this piece from last year - HERE - about the jerseys issued that season hint at them being a season-by-season thing, but at the same time time, it doesn't seem to be the case. Jake Ryan is still wearing 47 this year and they mentioned in passing last night that 98 will be Gardner's until he leaves, I think, so that would indicate that the numbers - once issued - belong to that player as long as they are here. 

What does the article say about #1? Brandon leaves this up to the coaching staff. 

pkatz

September 8th, 2013 at 4:03 PM ^

I assume he'll go back to #10 to immortalize that jersey, but will keep #21 in honor of Desmond while also being awarded #1.



Expect Gallon to come out for Akron wearing #21101...

GoBlueBorderBattle

September 8th, 2013 at 4:10 PM ^

While it is an honor to wear a Michigan legend number, I think these guys should be able to create their own legend and lore with their respective number. Last night's game will be shown on BTN for years and years. Instead of Gardner out there in his #12, he'll be in #98. Let these young men create a name and number for themselves.

joegeo

September 8th, 2013 at 4:24 PM ^

Seeing #98 on the field was awesome. I think it speaks to the history of the program. A qb in #98, what's that about? It's cool. This idea that defining yourself needs to include your number just doesn't make any sense to me. I'll remember players for their names and deeds. If anything, I think wearing a legends jersey makes them more memorable. Sort of like how the #1 has been. Wearing a well known number doesn't take away from the player, it adds to them.

champswest

September 8th, 2013 at 6:25 PM ^

If you don't need a number to define yourself, what was so great about seeing Gardner in #98? If you remember players for their names and deeds, why award a legend's number? If Gardner becomes a legend, how will we honor him? Award a #98A?

I would rather see the current player keep their own number and wear a legends shoulder patch.

Roy G. Biv

September 8th, 2013 at 4:21 PM ^

Being born in '70, for me, Anthony Carter WAS Michigan football in the late 70s/early 80s.  That the #1 would not be a Legends jersey with his name on it seems damn near criminal.  But it does appear that 21 has become the go-to number for WRs with the Desmond Legends designation.  I'm beginning to wonder if the tradition of the #1 has been unintentionally (or otherwise) undermined by the Desmond jersey.    

buddhafrog

September 8th, 2013 at 4:28 PM ^

#2 will certainly become a Legends jersey eventually and will given to DBs.  That will be awesome.

What about #1?  Would this become a Legends jersey?  It is the only remaining # that currently has any chance to do so.  I wonder if it would only say Anthony Carter or include the other greats (but not Legend greats) such as Braylon.  I hope they do make this an official Legend b/c this is the jersey # I always wore as a kid and dreamed of.  This number has a great significance to Michigan football history.

WMU81

September 8th, 2013 at 4:54 PM ^

I don't really understand how number 21 is a second place To the number 1 jersey. Desmond won the Heisman and nobody that wore #1 uniform one did. I'm a little lost on this one.. It's almost a smack in the face to Desmond

ijohnb

September 8th, 2013 at 5:44 PM ^

Think that it is clear that there are some issues with the legends jersey thing. I don't expect it to continue once it becomes clear that there are logistical problems that really swallow the idea. I think it is weird and distracting and want it to go away.

In reply to by ijohnb

snarling wolverine

September 8th, 2013 at 6:10 PM ^

What "logistical problems" are you thinking of?  The old system of retired numbers posed more problems:

-It reduced the number of jersey numbers in circulation

-It prevented several great players from being honored, because we didn't want to take any more numbers out of circulation.  No one who played after 1957 got his jersey retired under the old system.

The Legends program allows us to use all 99 numbers and honor as many players as we want.  It also seems to be raising a lot more awareness of our past greats than the old "lock the number away and never mention it" system we had.

The only potential "problem" I see is if a guy wearing one turns out to be a legend in his own right, but I think they can figure out how to put two names on one patch.  

markusr2007

September 8th, 2013 at 6:02 PM ^

but he's busy now at Ole Miss torching their record book to ashes while wearing No. 1.

Michigan will land a top WR recruit soon enough, like they did back in 1986 with Greg McMurtry and he'll be issued the No. 1.  No more of this "you got to earn it" crap. Bo didn't give a shit about any of that, and Carr used it for motiviation because Braylon was being a spoiled baby. Big deal.

If anyone deserves number 1 right now it's Jehu Chesson on his blocking alone. Goddamn.

 

JamieH

September 8th, 2013 at 6:38 PM ^

Braylon did the number proud, but Anthony Carter MADE the number.  If they honored the number without honoring Anthony Carter, it would be a massive insult.

The numbers that AC put up, in what was essentially a run-first, run-second, run-some-more offense before he showed up, are mind-blowing  He single-handedly changed Michigan football and is most likely the greatest receiver to ever wear the maize & blue.  If he had played in a passing offense like we see today who knows what he could have done.

mgoblue78

September 8th, 2013 at 9:19 PM ^

No disrespect to any subsequent wearers of the number, including Braylon, but #1 will have Anthony Carter's name, as a transcendental player for Michgan, and #2 for Woodson, obviously.

 

That.Guy

September 8th, 2013 at 9:49 PM ^

I bet these legends numbers last until the Athletic Department and Adidas see the drop in jersey sales because no one is buying new jerseys.  Fans don't need to keep up with the roster when the best QBs, WRs, etc. always wear the same number.  Especially since the home jersey basically stays the same (as it should).

YoungGeezy

September 9th, 2013 at 2:14 AM ^

I talked to a friend of Gallon's that said he may have been pressured into accepting the #21. I've actually been a big fan of the legends program, so this was pretty disappointing to hear. The guy I talked to basically said what has been assumed on here.. that even though its a huge honor, the players want to leave their their own number legacy.

I still like the program, but no one can say it's not broken...