What does retired number mean?

jbird

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Among the Redbirds football greats who have been honored by having their uniform number retired are Bill Nelson (#72), Estus Hood (#8) and Mike Prior (#15).

On this year's roster redshirt freshman OL Garrett Hirsch is #72 and redshirt freshman RB Jordan Birch is #8. A couple of seasons ago, QB/WR Muhammed-Rogers was #15. Does anyone know what is meant by "retiring" a uniform number to honor a great Redbird?
 

Source

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jbird said:
Among the Redbirds football greats who have been honored by having their uniform number retired are Bill Nelson (#72), Estus Hood (#8) and Mike Prior (#15).

On this year's roster redshirt freshman OL Garrett Hirsch is #72 and redshirt freshman RB Jordan Birch is #8. A couple of seasons ago, QB/WR Muhammed-Rogers was #15. Does anyone know what is meant by "retiring" a uniform number to honor a great Redbird?

Formally, it meant the number wouldn't be worn again. However, with the landscape of college football and the number of people on the team, we have active players who share a number, such as Brannon Barry and Malachi (#5). Both play in the games. Right now, I think it is a gesture, but they can't official retire the number due to not having enough numbers available.
 

BirdsFan1315

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Some programs like Michigan & Clemson I believe have a patch on the uniform of current player wearing a number previously retired that honors the former player. Could a nice touch to add to those few uniforms that apply now, and the hopefully more that are to come (13, 25, 46).
 

ChiRedbirdfan

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BirdsFan1315 said:
Some programs like Michigan & Clemson I believe have a patch on the uniform of current player wearing a number previously retired that honors the former player. Could a nice touch to add to those few uniforms that apply now, and the hopefully more that are to come (13, 25, 46).

Good idea or possible change the term from "Retired Number" when the team honors special players to some other term....ie .how about ISU "Honorary Players", "All-Time Greats",.....etc
 

Birdswin

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Good Catch jbird - I find this to be very, very curious. I will ask the next time I see someone in the athletic department.
 

MadBird

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Source said:
jbird said:
Among the Redbirds football greats who have been honored by having their uniform number retired are Bill Nelson (#72), Estus Hood (#8) and Mike Prior (#15).

On this year's roster redshirt freshman OL Garrett Hirsch is #72 and redshirt freshman RB Jordan Birch is #8. A couple of seasons ago, QB/WR Muhammed-Rogers was #15. Does anyone know what is meant by "retiring" a uniform number to honor a great Redbird?

Formally, it meant the number wouldn't be worn again. However, with the landscape of college football and the number of people on the team, we have active players who share a number, such as Brannon Barry and Malachi (#5). Both play in the games. Right now, I think it is a gesture, but they can't official retire the number due to not having enough numbers available.

There are many numbers not used according to the game program. I spose some might be assigned to redshirts, but as of last week, no #'s 1, 15, 18, and there are many others.
 

Reggie Redbird

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Sometimes it is a retired jersey and the number isn’t retired. That should be clarified though that it is a retired jersey and the number is still used.

Didn’t we retire Jeff Wilkins number right before his son signed here?
 
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