77 - Howie Long
44 - John Riggins
13 - Wilt Chamberlain
32 - Magic Johnson.
91 - Dennis Rodman. Even if anybody else had worn it…
In my NFL fandom days (ca. 1978-85) I remember that #12 had a reputation for great quarterbacks. Roger Staubach, Terry Bradshaw, Ken Stabler, and Bob Griese come to mind.
And I hate to say it, but #32 = OJ Simpson.
Few numbers I didn’t see covered yet:
28 - Darrell Green
30 - Martin Brodeur
12 - Terry Bradshaw or, more likely, Joe Namath
72 - William “Refrigerator” Perry
84 - Randy Moss
81 - Chris Carter
92 - Michael Strahan
and as much as I hate to even mention their names:
7 - John Elway
21 - Deion Sanders
Yeah, I noticed that there seem to be quite a few QB’s from that era (and beyond) with that number. I guess it all depends on what area of the country you’re from or what team you like. In the spirit of the OP, my opinion is that Namath made the number famous.
But then again, I’m from Jersey.
I must concur. And I hate hate HATE Elway; I’m a lifelong Falcons fan (remember Elway’s last game?) and a sometime Chiefs fan.
As much as I would love for this to be true, I think hendy’s might be more well-known:
“The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 2 characters.” WTF?
I’m sure I won’t be alone in nominating Pele for number 10
Yeah, I third or fourth Pele for #10.
But for folks in the NY tri-state area, the battle for #10 dominance will get intriguing pretty darn quick. Right now, it’s the recovering-from-surgery-shoulder versus the sprained-and-bruised-elbow, both on the throwing arms.
Good times.
Aaron popped into my head first too. In fact, Aaron - 44 was one of the first things I thought of when I opened the thread.
As long as 15 & 49 are open i will nominate 2 more retired Yankees
15 was the Captain of the Yankees Thurman Munson. Died tragically in '79 when his plane crashed. Many 15’s still seen in NY. He was the first Capt since Gehrig and died even more tragically. 15 I still miss you, the sports hero of my childhood.
49: Gator, Louisiana Lightning. Ron Guidry. In 1978 he put together the best single season of any pitcher in last 35 years and carried his team to the World Series. (With some timely help by Bucky F’ing Dent)
Maybe on the list by default, but I can’t think of any one else with it, and it is a somewhat iconic image:
00 - Robert Parish
which of course immediately brings up
33 – Larry Bird
(I think Bird wins on the cultural significance meter over Kareem. After all, “Do the Right Thing” didn’t use a Kareem jersey for a plot point).
Can we just cheat and leave it as Sanders?
14 almost has to go to A.J. Foyt, I think.
6 - Stan Musial
20 - Lou Brock
43 - Richard Petty
45 - Bob Gibson
88 - Michael Irvin
14 is A.J. Foyt, Jr.
43 Richard Petty. Petty Racing has farmed out the number to several undistinguished drivers since King Richard retired.
It was good for a chuckle when Buckshot Jones drove 00.
For 88 I respectfully submit Lynn Swan.
Sergei Fedorov wears #91 and would probably be a better choice. I mean Anna K beats Carmen Electra any day of the week.
#9 - Roger Maris (did it w/o steroids)
Nitpick: Cris Carter was #80. #81 is currently worn by Nate Burleson (Carter’s #80 is retired). I’m sure this was just an “oops” on your part, so I apologize for the nitpick.
We got this far without:
24 - Willie Mays
??? For shame!
Aaron and McCovey wore 44 pretty much simultaneously (and both were from Mobile, AL)…but even as a diehard Giants fan, I’ll graciously accede 44 to Hank.