So are they or are they not retiring Desmond's number?
I'm sure some of you saw the articles that stemmed from today's football press release about Friday's festivities. Included in that was the discussion of whatever ceremony "honoring" Desmond Howard and the commemorative book they're putting out about Desmond called "I Wore #21" http://www.facebook.com/DesmondHowardBook that will be sold in the MDen locations.
I've heard so many conflicting reports on whether or not they are in fact retiring his number or not. Anyone have any further opinion or knowledge about this. Can't figure out why they would put out this book and not be retiring his number. I also can't figure out how they could possibly NOT at some point retire his number.
September 6th, 2011 at 3:38 PM ^
Junior Hemingway says no.
September 6th, 2011 at 7:52 PM ^
I'm not sure if that matters. Generally speaking, a current player will not be asked to give up a number when it's retired; it goes out of circulation after his career is over.
September 6th, 2011 at 3:39 PM ^
pretty much said NOT.
September 6th, 2011 at 3:55 PM ^
they're going to retire the #60 jersey for me?
Excuse me whilst I fire up the Microsoft Word.
September 6th, 2011 at 4:06 PM ^
But retiring #60 for Mark Messner might be a nice idea.
Try changing your name to Ocho Cinco. See how that works for you.
September 6th, 2011 at 3:56 PM ^
The last thing i heard was that Mich. had no plans to retire his number
September 6th, 2011 at 3:59 PM ^
DB said something special will happen.
My guess would be statues of the heismen winners. Or giant bobbleheads since they already have a woodson one.
September 6th, 2011 at 4:04 PM ^
deserve bronze statues inside the gates of Michigan Stadium. One for Harmon, Desmond and CW. Really wouldn't mind seeing statues of Yost, Crysler and Bo .. either.
Go Blue!
September 6th, 2011 at 4:37 PM ^
While I like the concept of bronze statues, I think restricting them to Heisman winners penalizes some players, or rather some positions. It's unlikely that we'll see an offensive lineman ever win it, for example.
I would argue for some substantial bronze plaques equal for ALL honorees, something like those they have (or at least used to) in Yankee Stadium. These could be placed all around the stadium, sort of a "wall of honor."
September 6th, 2011 at 6:17 PM ^
bronze statues for some, miniature American flags for others.
September 6th, 2011 at 7:45 PM ^
sorry ... Mr. Crisler for the typo!
Go Blue!
September 6th, 2011 at 4:08 PM ^
I would have said that while we do not retire numbers, we "retire" jerseys. So, we are more likely to take his jersey and put it on display than we are to actually retire #21. But I have no more idea than the next guy, so take it as you will . . .
September 6th, 2011 at 4:16 PM ^
DB already said there would be no retired numbers like others have said. I don't know if others noticed at the game this past Saturday but there was something attached to the top of the east boxes which looked like it have rolled up banners or something. I have a feeling that they have something to do with the Desmond Howard honoring this weekend.
It almost looks like they might be making a ring of honor kind of thing but who knows.
September 6th, 2011 at 4:18 PM ^
September 6th, 2011 at 4:22 PM ^
I thought I read somewhere that DB said that they would not be retiring numbers just because of the sheer number of players on the teams....
instead they were going to do a series like the ring of honor.....
I'm probably wrong .... but that's what I remember.....
September 6th, 2011 at 4:24 PM ^
How is what's below (from an annarbor.com article) not a definitive answer from Brandon on whether Howard's number will be retired?
Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said Tuesday that the halftime ceremony will not include retiring Howard's No. 21.
"We're going to recognize Desmond, and you stay tuned on how that's going to happen," Brandon said. "The retirement of jerseys is something we've been pretty public about in terms of having some serious difficulties and limitations. So I would not look forward to that, but I would look forward to some other things."
September 6th, 2011 at 4:56 PM ^
September 6th, 2011 at 6:18 PM ^
With such eagerness to retire No. 88, No. 21 and No. 1, we'll soon have tailbacks wearing No. 86 and quarterbacks wearing no. 44.
Michigan has already retired 47, 48, 11, 87 and 98. Let's leave it be. It's enough.
There have always been great Michigan football players. And it's likely there always will be many more in the future. Who knows who will be the next great Michigan football player?
For all we know, in 2021 some freshman tailback from Flint will commit to Michigan and be issued No. 38. He'll rush for 2,444 yards and 22 TDs in his first season, catch a game-winning screen pass for a TD against Ohio State and then win the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore.
My preference would be to leave the retired jerseys tradition to the wayside. Reserve it for when Michigan football really, really needs it.
Otherwise, why not let a kid don the Maize and Blue and a jersey number and write his own history? Why put an end to that? I think it's wise to just get out of the way and let them play.
September 7th, 2011 at 6:54 AM ^
the numbers, because "the team, the team, the team", and wearing the number of a famous player(s), gives a currently player a legacy to live up to.
Desmond and Angelique are wrong on this one.
September 6th, 2011 at 6:36 PM ^
Who's tired of DH lobbying through his various media platforms for Michigan to retire his number?
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<br>I hope no jerseys are retired in my lifetime. I'm even a bit uncomfortable about the Braylon Edwards manufactured #1 "tradition." That was an (effective) motivational ploy by LC for BE to get his head back into fresh air from what I read back then.
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<br>As much as I like to know about the inner workings of the Football Program, I guess I'd like it to be a mystery to us as fans why some player got to wear a special number, at least until well after the decision, and the special numbers should be available to dole out at the team's, or coaches', discretion.
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<br>Desmond - enough plz. kthxbye.
September 6th, 2011 at 7:00 PM ^
I'm predicting a statue of either the heisman pose or "the catch" unveiled at halftime, and then moved to a permanent home somewhere around the stadium after the game.
September 6th, 2011 at 7:28 PM ^
I'm kinda torn on this one. Do Howard and Woodson deserve to have their numbers retired? Absolutely. But then again, I would say Anthony Carter deserves the same (although I think the issuing of the #1 is more or less a tribute to him nowadays). As lame as the argument re: the number of players sounds, it does make sense. Eventually you'll run out numbers. But Heisman Trophy winners, POTUS and other extraordinary luminaries deserve the honor.
If it's a Ring of Honor type thing, that would be kinda cool. Unfortunately I can't start new conversation strings, but if someone who can reads this, initial candidates for a Ring of Honor could be a fun discussion. Obvious no brainers: Heismans, President, AC, Rick Leach, Wisterts, Bo, Oosterbaan, Yost.
September 7th, 2011 at 10:50 AM ^
Does anyone know the schedule for the pre-game festivities? I believe Desmond is being honored before the game. I want to be sure I get in there in time.