Retired NFL Numbers That Should Be Worn Again
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So far, 139 all-time greats have had their NFL numbers retired over the years. Many of these are considered the best athletes of all time.
But then there are others, some who didn’t even play in a regular-season game. In some cases, it's because they had a football career cut short, but we think there are better ways to remember these players, like the Ring of Honor, for example. After all, isn’t having your number retired supposed to be about some combination of individual excellence on the field, historical significance and/or contribution to team achievements while wearing the number?
At the risk of offending many, these are the players whose jersey numbers we might want to unretire. Do you agree?
30. Charlie Conerly
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Position: Quarterback
Jersey number: 42 (New York Giants)
Career: 14 seasons (1948-61)
Teams: Giants (1948-61)
NFL championships: 1 (1956)
Career statistics: 161 games/18,488 pass yards/173 pass touchdowns
Bottom Line: Charlie Conerly
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Some believe that Conerly merits more consideration for Hall of Fame induction.
But until that happens, the two-time Pro Bowler, one-time league champion and original Marlboro man falls a tad short of a jersey retirement in our opinion.
29. Billy Sims
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Position: Running back
Jersey number: 20 (Detroit Lions)
Career: 14 seasons (1980-84)
Teams: Lions (1980-84)
NFL championships: 0
Career statistics: 60 games/7,178 yards from scrimmage/47 total touchdowns
Bottom Line: Billy Sims
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Sims was a candidate for all-time greatness before he blew out his right knee. In only three seasons did he start more than half the games. And his teams had a 34-45-1 record and never won a postseason game, not that he deserved much blame for it, of course.
The three-time Pro Bowler is more of a Pride of the Lions (Ring of Honor) candidate to us.
28. Phil Simms
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Position: Quarterback
Jersey number: 11 (New York Giants)
Career: 14 seasons (1979-81, 1983-93)
Teams: Giants (1979-81, 1983-93)
Super Bowl championships: 2 (1986, 1990)
Career statistics: 164 games/.554 pass completion percentage/33,462 pass yards/199 pass touchdowns
Bottom Line: Phil Simms
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We won’t whine that No. 11 is off limits. After all, Simms was a huge part of two Super Bowl champions even if they were defense-driven teams.
But we’d just as soon put away No. 14 instead. That once belonged to Y.A. Tittle, who had one of the best three-year runs of any QB in history. The Hall of Famer still owns a bunch of team records seven decades after the fact.
27. Dwight Clark
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Position: Wide receiver
Jersey number: 87 (San Francisco 49ers)
Career: 9 seasons (1979-87)
Teams: 49ers (1979-87)
Super Bowl championships: 2 (1981, 1984)
Career statistics: 134 games/506 pass receptions/48 total touchdowns
Bottom Line: Dwight Clark
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Clark was among the best receivers in franchise history, but he wasn’t better than Terrell Owens, Gene Washington and Billy Wilson, it says here. Basically, his No. 87 was retired because of one play — a legendary touchdown in the 1981 NFC championship game.
A statue of it stands outside Levi’s Stadium, and that should be tribute enough. Right?
26. Marshall Goldberg
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Position: Offensive-defensive halfback
Jersey number: 42 (Chicago Cardinals)
Career: 8 seasons (1939-43, 1946-48)
Teams: Cardinals (1939-43, 1946-48)
NFL championships: 1 (1947)
Career statistics: 77 games/2,419 yards from scrimmage/19 interceptions/17 total touchdowns
Bottom Line: Marshall Goldberg
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Goldberg was a member of the so-called Dream Backfield that led the Cardinals to their most recent league title. The one-time college sensation was a factor on offense, defense and special teams, and his 1941 season was crazy good.
But we still believe there’s simply not enough sustained dominance here.
25. Willie Galimore
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Position: Halfback-split end
Retired jersey number: 28 (Chicago Bears)
Career: 7 seasons (1957-63)
Teams: Bears (1957-63)
NFL championships: 1 (1963)
Career statistics: 82 games/4,186 yards from scrimmage/37 total touchdowns
Bottom Line: Willie Galimore
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Galimore was an electric runner who lacked the durability and longevity to be Hall of Fame material. No matter. The organization saw fit to retire his number immediately after a single-car accident took his life and that of teammate Bob Farrington in 1964 preseason camp.
We don’t mean to be insensitive to Galimore or some of the others who lost their lives too early on this list, but time and/or the way they’re being honored are the major factors here. After almost 60 years, we think this number deserves to make a return.
24. Tom Brookshier
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Position: Defensive halfback-safety
Jersey number: 40 (Philadelphia Eagles)
Career: 6 seasons (1953, 1955-60)
Teams: Eagles (1953, 1955-60)
NFL championships: 1 (1960)
Career statistics: 76 games/20 interceptions/8 fumble recoveries
Bottom Line: Tom Brookshier
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Brookshier was one of the most complete DBs of his time, a two-time Pro Bowler and member of the 1960 league championship team. But a gruesome leg injury forced him to retire after only six-plus seasons.
If anyone on the ’60 team deserves to have his number retired, then quarterback Norm Van Brocklin is the one. The Dutchman had three stellar seasons with the Iggles and willed them to an unlikely league title.
23. Jim Hunt
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Position: Defensive tackle
Retired jersey number: 79 (Boston Patriots)
Career: 11 seasons (1960-70)
Teams: Patriots (1960-70)
AFL-Super Bowl championships: 0
Career statistics: 146 games/30 sacks/8 fumble recoveries/2 total touchdowns
Bottom Line: Jim Hunt
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While Hunt was a four-time All-Star selection in no more than 10 team leagues, he was seldom the best D-lineman on his own squad. If the fireplug known as Earthquake has a claim to fame, it’s that he’s among the 24 players who saw action in every AFL season.
So, we have a solution. How about we unretire his No. 79 and retire his nickname instead?
22. Bob Dee
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Position: Defensive end
Retired jersey number: 89 (Boston Patriots)
Career: 10 seasons (1957-58, 1960-67)
Teams: Washington Redskins (1957-58), Patriots (1960-67)
NFL—AFL-Super Bowl championships: 0
Career statistics: 146 games/30 sacks/8 fumble recoveries/2 total touchdowns
Bottom Line: Bob Dee
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Like Jim Hunt, Dee was a four-time All-Star selection. The two were paired on the same D line for eight seasons.
Their teams captured one division title in the span, and they were toasted for 51 points in their only league championship game appearance.
21. Steve Nelson
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Position: Linebacker
Retired jersey number: 57 (New England Patriots)
Career: 14 seasons (1974-87)
Teams: Patriots (1974-87)
Super Bowl championships: 0
Career statistics: 171 games/19.5 sacks/17 interceptions/16 fumble recoveries
Bottom Line: Steve Nelson
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We swear — we’re not picking on the Patriots. It’s just that, when we think of all-time great linebackers, Nelson isn’t the name that comes to mind.
He was a solid player who took part in three Pro Bowls, two of them in his mid-30s. He also was a member of the Super Bowl XX team that the ’85 Chicago Bears turned into confetti. Um, can we raise the bar a little bit, New England?
20. Charlie Krueger
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Position: Defensive tackle-end
Jersey number: 70 (San Francisco 49ers)
Career: 15 seasons (1959-73)
Teams: 49ers (1959-73)
NFL-Super Bowl championships: 0
Career statistics: 198 games/54 sacks/7 fumble recoveries/3 safeties
Bottom Line: Charlie Krueger
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Krueger played hard, but two Pro Bowl selections and zero league championships over three decades don’t scream greatness. There’s also this: Krueger was awarded $2.3 million (before legal costs) when it was ruled that the organization had fudged the truth about some of his many injuries.
A spot in the 49ers Hall of Fame is respect enough.
19. Jerome Brown
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Position: Defensive tackle
Retired jersey number: 99 (Philadelphia Eagles)
Career: 5 seasons (1987-91)
Teams: Eagles (1987-91)
Super Bowl championships: 0
Career statistics: 76 games/29.5 sacks/10 fumble recoveries
Bottom Line: Jerome Brown
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Even on the heels of consecutive All-Pro seasons, chances were iffy that Brown would have his No. 99 retired one day. (Reggie White is the only full-time Eagles D-lineman to be afforded the honor.)
But shortly after Brown wrapped his 1992 Corvette around a palm tree, the organization was moved to do it. His 12-year-old nephew perished with him.
18. Jim Norton
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Position: Safety-defensive halfback
Jersey number: 43 (Houston Oilers)
Career: 9 seasons (1960-68)
Teams: Oilers (1960-68)
AFL-Super Bowl championships: 2 (1960-61)
Career statistics: 125 games/45 interceptions/1 total touchdown/42.1 yards per punt
Bottom Line: Jim Norton
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Norton owns the most interceptions in AFL history, but no one considered him to be an elite player. He also ranked among the better punters in the league.
We say retire his right foot, not his jersey number. OK, now about George Blanda . . .
17. Bob Johnson
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Position: Center
Retired jersey number: 54 (Cincinnati Bengals)
Career: 12 seasons (1968-79)
Teams: Bengals (1968-79)
Super Bowl championships: 0
Career statistics: 154 games/6 fumble recoveries
Bottom Line: Bob Johnson
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Johnson was the first draft pick in Bengals history. He was selected ahead of future Hall of Famers Claude Humphrey, Larry Csonka, Curley Culp, Ken Stabler, Charlie Sanders, Elvin Bethea and Art Shell. He played in one Pro Bowl game.
Excuse us for a second, but that’s really all we have here.
16. Joe Morrison
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Position: Halfback-fullback-flanker
Retired jersey number: 40 (New York Giants)
Career: 14 seasons (1959-72)
Teams: Giants (1959-72)
NFL-Super Bowl championships: 0
Career statistics: 184 games/7,467 total yards from scrimmage/65 total touchdowns
Bottom Line: Joe Morrison
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Morrison was a career overachiever who played several positions fairly well for a long time with one team. Wait — there has to be more, but we’re still looking.
Meanwhile, Big Blue snubbed Hall of Famers Sam Huff and Andy Robustelli, the cornerstones of great defenses that spanned two decades.
15. Sam Mills
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Position: Linebacker
Retired jersey number: 51 (Carolina Panthers)
Career: 12 seasons (1986-97)
Teams: New Orleans Saints (1986-94), Panthers (1995-97)
Super Bowl championships: 0
Career statistics: 181 games/20.5 sacks/23 fumble recoveries
Bottom Line: Sam Mills
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We have no problem with Mills on the retired jersey list, but his two teams got it backwards.
The Saints should have done the deed. By the time the Panthers signed the five-time Pro Bowler, he was well into the back nine of his career.
14. Doug Atkins
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Position: Defensive end
Retired jersey number: 81 (New Orleans Saints)
Career: 17 seasons (1953-69)
Teams: Cleveland Browns (1953-54), Chicago Bears (1955-66),Saints (1967-69)
NFL-Super Bowl championships: 1 (1963)
Career statistics: 205 games/94.5 sacks/11 fumble recoveries
Bottom Line: Doug Atkins
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Atkins should have his number retired, all right — but by the Chicago Bears. That it isn’t speaks to the pettiness of team founder-dictator-owner-coach George Halas, who clashed with the late-night terror on a frequent basis.
At least the Saints righted a glaring wrong even if the future Hall of Famer only played out the string with them.
13. Frank Tripucka
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Position: Quarterback
Jersey number: 18 (Denver Broncos)
Career: 8 seasons (1949-52, 1960-63)
Teams: Detroit Lions (1949), Chicago Cardinals (1950-52), Dallas Texans (1952), Broncos (1960-63)
NFL-AFL championships: 0
Career statistics: 75 games/.504 pass completion percentage/10,282 pass yards/69 pass touchdowns
Bottom Line: Frank Tripucka
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Tripucka was the first quarterback in Broncos history. He played for bad teams and threw twice as many interceptions as touchdowns passes.
The journeyman deserves to have an annual Courage Award in his name, though. Because he had a nerve to wear those horrid brown-and-gold vertically striped socks back in the day.
12. Stan Mauldin
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Position: Offensive-defensive tackle
Jersey number: 77 (Chicago Cardinals)
Career: 3 seasons (1946-48)
Teams: Cardinals (1946-48)
NFL championships: 1 (1947)
Career statistics: 19 games/2 fumble recoveries/1 interception
Bottom Line: Stan Mauldin
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Mauldin was a potential star when he suffered a fatal brain hemorrhage in the locker room after a rematch of the 1947 league championship game. Tragic, for sure, but he didn’t play long enough to warrant this kind of honor.
Submitted for your approval: Hall of Fame back Ollie Matson, who was so good that he was traded for about half of the Los Angeles Rams team.
11. Dennis Byrd
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Position: Defensive tackle-end
Jersey number: 90 (New York Jets)
Career: 4 seasons (1989-92)
Teams: Jets (1989-92)
Super Bowl championships: 0
Career statistics: 57 games/28 sacks
Bottom Line: Dennis Byrd
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Sadly, we never got a chance to see how dominant Byrd could be after a collision with a teammate left him paralyzed for several months. His greatest victory came months later when he was able to walk again.
That provided the impetus for The Most Inspirational Player Award that is awarded annually in his name, a better way to remember his will and determination.
10. Korey Stringer
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Position: Offensive tackle
Jersey number: 77 (Minnesota Vikings)
Career: 6 seasons (1995-2000)
Teams: Vikings (1995-2000)
Super Bowl championships: 0
Career statistics: 93 games/1 fumble recovery
Bottom Line: Korey Stringer
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Not long after his only Pro Bowl appearance, Stringer died of heatstroke in preseason camp, which should have never happened. Many will tell you that his jersey number was retired more to quell the controversy and save face than anything else.
We believe he was a dominant player that could have had major success on the field, but unfortunately, he never got a chance to show us that.
9. Mack Lee Hill
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Position: Fullback-halfback
Jersey number: 36 (Kansas City Chiefs)
Career: 2 seasons (1964-65)
Teams: Chiefs (1964-65)
NFL championships: 0
Career statistics: 27 games/1,611 yards from scrimmage/9 total touchdowns
Bottom Line: Mack Lee Hill
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Mack The Truck left us way too soon — the one-time All-Star passed away at 25 in the midst of knee surgery. Fittingly, the Mack Lee Hill Award is presented to the top Chiefs rookie player each year.
Now, again, that’s how it should be done, people.
8. J.V. Cain
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Position: Tight end-wide receiver
Jersey number: 88 (St. Louis Cardinals)
Career: 4 seasons (1974-77)
Teams: Cardinals (1974-77)
Super Bowl championships: 0
Career statistics: 55 games/76 pass receptions/9 total touchdowns
Bottom Line: J.V. Cain
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Cain was a two-year starter who passed away from heart failure attributed to extreme heat.
Years later, his family filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
7. Brian Piccolo
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Position: Running back
Jersey number: 41 (Chicago Bears)
Career: 4 seasons (1966-69)
Teams: Bears (1966-69)
Super Bowl championships: 0
Career statistics: 51 games/1,464 yards from scrimmage/5 total touchdowns
Bottom Line: Brian Piccolo
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After a rare form of cancer took his life at 26 years of age, Piccolo received more pub in books and movies than anything the career back-up ever did on a football field.
His relationship with teammate Gale Sayers was a special one, no doubt, but the fact remains that he never rushed for more than 450 yards in a season.
6. Jim Taylor
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Position: Fullback
Jersey number: 31 (New Orleans Saints)
Career: 10 seasons (1958-67)
Teams: Green Bay Packers (1958-66), Saints (1967)
NFL-Super Bowl championships: 4 (1961-62, 1965-66)
Career statistics: 51 games/10,353 yards from scrimmage/93 total touchdowns
Bottom Line: Jim Taylor
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OK, we get it. Taylor was a former LSU star and hugely popular in N’awlins. But, c’mon, the Hall of Famer labored through one season with a 3-11 Saints team.
Blame the Green Bay Packers, though. If they had put his number in mothballs, the Saints would have had less reason to do so.
4. Ernie Davis (Tie)
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Position: Halfback
Jersey number: 45 (Cleveland Browns)
Career: none
Teams: Browns
NFL championships: 0
Career statistics: None
Bottom Line: Ernie Davis
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Would Davis and Jim Brown have been one of the greatest backfield tandems in football history? Unfortunately, we never got to find out. Leukemia claimed his career before it started.
The 1961 Heisman Trophy winner is the only athlete never to play in an NFL game yet have his jersey number retired.
4. Don Fleming (Tie)
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Position: Safety
Jersey number: 46 (Cleveland Browns)
Career: 3 seasons (1960-62)
Teams: Browns (1960-62)
NFL championships: 0
Career statistics: 38 games/10 interceptions/4 fumble recoveries
Bottom Line: Don Fleming
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Mention the names of Fleming and would-be teammate Ernie Davis, and we immediately think of the worst 17 days in Browns' history. Not long after Davis passed away, Fleming died in a construction accident in the offseason.
Rather than retire 80 percent of the jersey numbers in the 40s, we think the Ring of Honor is a better place for both of them.
3. Chuck Hughes
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Position: Split end
Jersey number: 85 (Detroit Lions)
Career: 5 seasons (1967-71)
Teams: Philadelphia Eagles (1967-69),Lions (1970-71)
Super Bowl championships: 0
Career statistics: 38 games/15 pass receptions/0 total touchdowns
Bottom Line: Chuck Hughes
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Hughes collapsed due to what was later determined to be an advanced heart condition, the only player to die on the field in league history. (His widow filed a $2.1 million lawsuit against the hospital that had examined him only weeks earlier.)
No Lions player wore No. 85 in the next 34 years. It should be worn every season so we can forget the whole sordid cluster.
2. Stone Johnson
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Position: Halfback
Jersey number: 33 (Kansas City Chiefs)
Career: none
Teams: Chiefs
AFL championships: 0
Career statistics: None
Bottom Line: Stone Johnson
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Johnson was an Olympic track star and one of the fastest humans alive. His jersey retirement came almost as quickly. Shortly after he succumbed to a broken neck that had left him paralyzed in a 1963 preseason game, his No. 33 was packed away.
The Grambling product is in the franchise Ring of Honor as well. Then again, if team owner Lamar Hunt had his way, Warpaint, the team mascot, would have had his hooves retired.
1. The Twelfth Man (aka Fans)
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Jersey number: 12(Seattle Seahawks)
Career: 46 seasons (1976-present)
Teams: Seahawks (1976-present)
Super Bowl championships: 1 (2011)
Career statistics: None
Bottom Line: The Twelfth Man (aka Fans)
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This will be the answer to a Jeopardy when Aaron Rodgers becomes the host one day: Who has never been on an NFL roster yet has a number retired for some reason? Fans? Really?
What about Jimi Hendrix? The Lumen Field beer vendors? The kicking-tee retrievers? What are they — smoked salmon? Hey, wait – what about smoked salmon?!