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

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.

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.

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?

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?