I think it's stupid.

It is a fact that there are only a finite amount of numbers. If you keep retiring a number after a great player leaves the game, after a while you'll start to run out of numbers or have to unretire players' numbers, which then creates a controversy that isn't necessary.

Instead I propose the NFL should simply put a hiatus on numbers. For example, after Ray Lewis retires, we must wait 15 years before another player can don the #52. And then Ray's name and number can also be posted in the rafters forever, and that will never be taken away.

Thoughts?