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Texas A&M Football

The Line of 2: Why not to retire Manziel's jersey

January 28, 2014
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A rose by any other name may indeed smell as sweet, but a football player by another number just may not be the same.

Football players are more identifiable by number than players in other sports. That’s probably because their faces are hidden by helmets and face masks. You may not immediately be able to identify Texas A&M running back Tra Carson by face, but you know he wears No. 21.

Numbers can be as much a part of an autograph as a last name. Indeed, on some autographs numbers are easily deciphered. Names … not so much.

TexAgs Among the multitude of reasons the number 2 doesn't have to be retired in Aggieland, Manziel's legacy will far outstrip just the jersey. {"Module":"photo","Alignment":"right","Size":"large","Caption":"Among the multitude of reasons the number 2 doesn\u0027t have to be retired in Aggieland, Manziel\u0027s legacy will far outstrip just the jersey.","MediaItemID":36944}
A football player’s number is sacred. That’s why Deion Sanders bought a Dallas Cowboys teammate, who was issued No. 21, a BMW to exchange jersey numbers.

It’s also why truly great players have their numbers retired.

And that’s why there was a minor uproar when Texas A&M star receiver recruit Speedy Noil tweeted a photo of his A&M locker with a No. 2 emblazoned on it.

Of course, Johnny Manziel, the greatest football player in Texas A&M history, wore No. 2 and some feel that digit should be immediately retired. Others suggest at the very least that number should not be re-issued so quickly.

The sentiments are understandable. But Aggies should not be so sentimental, for several reasons.

First of all, with 85 scholarship players and several walk-ons there are only so many numbers. Even now, offensive and defensive players share numbers. Start retiring numbers and it can become too confusing.

Secondly, there are other ways to honor a player without retiring their number. A statue of Manziel is a no-brainer. Also, there can be a ceremony to commemorate a jersey with Manziel’s name and number on it.

The renovations of Kyle Field could include something like a “ring of honor” that displays the names and numbers of great players along the stadium facade.

That way more equally deserving players can be honored similarly.

Some would argue that there are no more deserving players than Manziel and John David Crow, who both won the Heisman Trophy.

But realistically linemen and defensive players have no chance to win the Heisman even though they could potentially be better than Heisman recipients.

Andrew Kilzer, TexAgs Steven Campbell was the last Aggie to wear #2 and many came before him, significant of the constant turnover in collegiate athletics. {"Module":"photo","Alignment":"left","Size":"large","Caption":"Steven Campbell was the last Aggie to wear #2 and many came before him, significant of the constant turnover in collegiate athletics.","MediaItemID":10284}
Aren’t Dat Nguyen, John Kimbrough and Luke Joeckel just as deserving of receiving the grandest tribute based on the way they represented and honored Texas A&M?

Besides, nobody will forget Manziel’s “oh my gracious” touchdown pass against Alabama just because someone else might wear number two.

Yet, the main reason to refrain from retiring numbers is the constant turnover of college football. Unlike the NFL, great college players represent their universities for no more than four seasons. Of course, A&M only had Manziel for two.

There is always another recruiting class. There are always new stars coming in.

At least, you hope there are always new stars coming in.

The four- and five-star prospects that are often considered “difference-makers” for a college football program always have several options for continuing their playing careers.

Some will base their decisions on relationships with coaches, a program’s track record of sending players to the NFL or proximity to one’s hometown. Believe it or not, some will even make their decision based on the quality of education that they will receive.

And some will make a decision based on uniforms. Indeed, there have been instances in recent years in which prospects have admitted signing with Oregon to wear the Ducks’ array for uniforms.

So, it’s not a stretch to suggest a prospect’s decision could be influenced by the jersey number he can (or cannot) wear.

Noil is a great prospect. As his nickname suggests, he has great speed. Scouts see him as a game-breaking big-play threat. Recruiting services rank him among the 10 best players in America at any position.

What if Noil’s decision was between Texas A&M and LSU? What if everything between them, in Noil’s mind, was equal?

TexAgs If A&M wants to continue its run of success, why not let a potential game-changer like Noil continue to wear his #2 if it factors into where he signs? {"Module":"photo","Alignment":"right","Size":"large","Caption":"If A\u0026M wants to continue its run of success, why not let a potential game-changer like Noil continue to wear his #2 if it factors into where he signs?","MediaItemID":37479}
What if he wanted to wear the No. 2 he wore throughout high school? Maybe he’s been wearing it since pee wee football and doesn’t want to change.

Would you tell him he cannot wear No. 2 and risk losing him to LSU? 

Or would you give him the number — remind him who previously wore it — and tell him he has a great standard to match by wearing that number?

Would you then let Noil wear No. 2 when the season starts next August?

I would.

Because the only number that matters is finishing No. 1 in January.
Discussion from...

The Line of 2: Why not to retire Manziel's jersey

13,698 Views | 24 Replies | Last: 10 yr ago by Be Thankful
Olin Buchanan
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Staff
S
The Line of 2: Why not to retire Manziel's jersey
redjalapeno-87
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I agree that there are too few numbers available to start a tradition of retiring, with many players sharing numbers and changing jerseys on the sidelines. There are many ways to honor what a player contributed to the program and university, and Johnny will no doubt be so honored for posterity.

I like the fact that Speedy gets the coveted #2, and I have no doubt he will take that number and continue the tradition of exciting "playmakers" wearing #2 going forward.
amejiajr
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Hopefully players who get #2 will work hard to live up to the expectations of wearing that number
tbirdspur2010
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AG
Shoot, even at Michigan, they've started the practice of "legacy" numbers (i.e., Jeremy Gallon wearing Desmond Howard's famous #21), and designating such jerseys with a commemorative patch.

It's still a huge honor, and I think that can be done without diminishing the accomplishments of a great.
cecil77
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AG
If we start retiring numbers, what are we gonna do when some players lead us to some kind of actual championship?

Maybe switch to hexadecimal on the jerseys?
AnalogyAg
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2a, 2b, 2c.... problem solved
coupland boy
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AG
Agree with the article. Just out of pure coincidence i was looking at ny yankee retired #'s recently. Assuming derek jeter's no. is retired there will only be one single digit number available for players to wear. Less of a problem for baseball but it can get out of hand.

[This message has been edited by coupland boy (edited 1/31/2014 12:04a).]
Bluecat_Aggie94
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AG
You can hang a jersey in honor to permanently commemorate "Manziel, #2" while still using the #. Retire the specific jersey, but keep using the number. UK basketball does it, it's the way to go.
cecil77
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AG
Either that or recognize that it's a team game and recognize teams, not individual players.
Sex Panther
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AG
quote:
Either that or recognize that it's a team game and recognize teams, not individual players.


These posts are so dumb. Recognize the fact that we had arguably the greatest player ever the last two years. The "team" aspect of it is what cost us a national title. Johnny Football raised $750 million, not the "Wrecking Crew".
Bird Poo
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AG
Statue. Along with our other Heisman winner.
ShadyAftermath123
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[This message has been edited by ShadyAftermath123 (edited 1/29/2014 6:58p).]
cecil77
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AG
Yeah, I'm sure he would have done just great his fish year w/out arguably one of the best o-lines in school history. But hey, don't let the truth get in the way of your hero worship.
Sex Panther
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AG
So what exactly are you trying to say? Don't recognize him at all?
cecil77
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AG
No more than any of our other consensus All-Americans, and certainly no more than our other Heisman winner.
Sex Panther
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AG
quote:
and certainly no more than our other Heisman winner.



So you think he should have a statue and his jersey retired? I agree, glad were on the same page.
cecil77
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AG
Nope. Don't agree with either.
Second Deck
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His number is already retired. No one will ever wear Manziel #2 again.
Quad Dog
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AG
We just this past year retired John David Crow's number. If you are going to memorialize someone, wait till they are an old man. I really don't want to bring up examples why.
Sex Panther
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AG
Cecil I'm not really sure what you're getting at.

This is big time college football, and you honor your greats. Crow's jersey is retired. He has a statue. JFF will have a statue, and probably some stuff named after him.

When the new stadium is up, I want to see nods to players like Nguyen, Miller, Kimbrough etc... I want recruits to come in and see that and want to be a part of it. Sorry but in sports, individual accomplishments are huge. Even if the pc thing to say is "oh it was a team effort".

I'm ok with JFF not getting his jersey retired as long as it's recognized. It should be hanging somewhere in the stadium. And I can't wait to see what they go with for his statue. I am looking forward to the day that I can take my grandson to a game. and say "That's Johnny Football, you should've seen him play... and he did it without jet packs and bionic legs like today's pvssy athletes".
cecil77
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AG
Never ever build a statue to a living person. Ever. Call it the "Joe Pa" rule.

Numbers shouldn't be retired until the person is. If then.

This isn't pro football, it's collegiate. That should make it more about the team and not the individual. Plus, where in the pros those sorts of honors are generally in recognition of DECADES of performance, the MOST any collegiate player can have is four, and in the case of Manziel, only two years. Two. Even if the team had won something, which it didn't, two years doesn't warrant any more than displaying the Heisman.

I personally find the individual worship as you are espousing to be far out of step with collegiate values in general and Aggie values in specific. I understand that you have a different opinion.
coupland boy
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AG

quote:
If you are going to memorialize someone, wait till they are an old man. I really don't want to bring up examples why.


quote:
Never ever build a statue to a living person. Ever. Call it the "Joe Pa" rule.


I'm guessing you two were thinking the same thing. I also thought of OJ and there are probably others. Joe Pa set the standard though to be sure.
tsuag10
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AG
quote:
Plus, where in the pros those sorts of honors are generally in recognition of DECADES of performance, the MOST any collegiate player can have is four, and in the case of Manziel, only two years


This is about the only part of your argument that I agree with.

Don't be so dramatic.
Be Thankful
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Manziel #2 will only be worn by Johnny. So it is gone and retired essentially unless Johnny has a relative named Manziel who also plays QB.
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