Ravens Retired Numbers

**GOTA** · 04-22-2021, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by HotInHere

We have never retired a jersey number. But the numbers 20, 75, and 52 have yet to be given to any other player.

So with the expansion of available numbers now announced, should the team officially retire those numbers? Any others that should be retired?

Some people say 19, but IMO a) Scott Mitchell already defiled that number, and b) John was never a Raven, so it doesn't seem odd to see another #19 in a Ravens uniform, any more than seeing a #19 in any other non-Colts uniform.

Unitas has a statue outside the stadium. #19 has to be retired even if they screwed it up in the past. Let's fix it.

20, 52 and 75 should absolutely be retired. I'd add #55 now that he's out of the league.

**Captain Silver** · 04-22-2021, 11:09 AM

I am still never going to get on board with Jonathan Ogden's number being retired. HOF yes. Ring of honor, yes. But he is a lineman. No matter how great he was, I can never, ever get over him being owned by Dwight Freeney. Say what you want about his awesomeness, but that was the flaw in his game. To me, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed had no flaws in their game. Age was the only sign of their declining abilities. When they were at their best, no one could hang with them. When lights were brightest, they shined. Too many times I saw Dwight Freeney roll over JO at the biggest moments, so no, he doesn't deserve his number to be retired in my opinion. I know I am in the minority on this.

**Shas** · 04-22-2021, 11:33 AM

I can't get too bent out of shape about it one way or the other. I tend not to worry about the honor being so precious that we're going to run out of numbers or something if they give them away willy nilly.

I look at the Steelers, for instance, with two 'officially' retired numbers...
No. 70: Ernie Stautner
No. 75: Joe Greene

Which seems random compared to the 'unofficial' list...

No. 12: Terry Bradshaw
No. 32: Franco Harris
No. 36: Jerome Bettis
No. 43: Troy Polamalu
No. 47: Mel Blount
No. 52: Mike Webster
No. 58: Jack Lambert
No. 59: Jack Ham
No. 68: L.C. Greenwood
No. 86: Hines Ward

Only 68 is in use now, a no-name XFL/practice squad offensive lineman type.

I think the Ravens could officially retire 75, 52 and 20, and unofficially retire 3, 5, 31, 55, 73, 86, 92, 95, giving out those numbers only if necessary and officially retiring any number if the player makes the HOF.

**GOTA** · 04-22-2021, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by Captain Silver

I am still never going to get on board with Jonathan Ogden's number being retired. HOF yes. Ring of honor, yes. But he is a lineman. No matter how great he was, I can never, ever get over him being owned by Dwight Freeney. Say what you want about his awesomeness, but that was the flaw in his game. To me, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed had no flaws in their game. Age was the only sign of their declining abilities. When they were at their best, no one could hang with them. When lights were brightest, they shined. Too many times I saw Dwight Freeney roll over JO at the biggest moments, so no, he doesn't deserve his number to be retired in my opinion. I know I am in the minority on this.

Eddie George. That one went back and forth but George certainly had some big moments against Ray. Eddie George with a dislocated shoulder ran right through Ray in the 2003 wild card game. With offensive lineman we always remember the mistakes. When things are going great nothing is said. Freeney absolutely gave JO problems but I bet if you went back to the tape it would closer to Ray and George than you realize

**Bhcforlife** · 04-22-2021, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Shas

I think the Ravens could officially retire 75, 52 and 20, and unofficially retire 3, 5, 31, 55, 73, 86, 92, 95, giving out those numbers only if necessary and officially retiring any number if the player makes the HOF.

I would agree with this. Maybe not 3, 31, 86, 92, and 95, but officially retiring Lewis, Ogden, and Reed, and then unofficially retiring 5, 55, 73, I think makes sense...if Suggs or Yanda makes HOF then I would officially retire those. Obviously Flacco won't, but wouldn't just let anyone wear 5 either...

I don't really think Stover, J Lewis, Heap, Ngata, and Johnson really rise to that level of even being unofficially retired but that's just me. That's what ROH is for IMO. Ngata would probably be the closest.

**GOTA** · 04-22-2021, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by Shas

I think the Ravens could officially retire 75, 52 and 20, and unofficially retire 3, 5, 31, 55, 73, 86, 92, 95, giving out those numbers only if necessary and officially retiring any number if the player makes the HOF.

What would you do with Sharpe and Woodson?

**Ravenswintitle** · 04-22-2021, 12:21 PM

**HanktheRIPPER** · 04-22-2021, 12:24 PM

Retiring numbers is ridiculous. Let another player wear it even if they don’t turn out as good. You have to move on at some point..

**beavery** · 04-22-2021, 12:34 PM

#80 Myles Boykin. In fact to make Decosta happy lets throw in retiring every number of any receiver that the Ravens have drafted.

**Shas** · 04-22-2021, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by GOTA

What would you do with Sharpe and Woodson?

I wouldn't only because they are mostly associated with other franchises. But I wouldn't be upset by the argument in favor.

**Rygar64** · 04-22-2021, 12:39 PM

No need to overthink this.

HOFer - Retire the number
When newly inducted HOFers come to the "homecoming" game the year they go in, give them their ring, the HOF plaque thingy, a video montage, and retire the jersey right then. Keeps it nice and neat.

ROH - don't re-issue, with a caveat:
If it's a ROH player, simply make it a standard courtesy that they get a ceremonial phone call to request that their number be re-issued and do it. Make a little video about it and post it on social media. Call it "passing the torch" or something like that. Gives them a trip down memory lane for their families and the fans to remember their great moments with the club.

P.S. - Both Sizzle and Yanda are going in, so bank on 75, 52, 20, 55 and 73 never being worn by another Ravens player.
J-Tuck, I'm still not sure just because of how fickle and stringent the committee seems to be when it comes to specialists.

**Rygar64** · 04-22-2021, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Shas

I wouldn't only because they are mostly associated with other franchises. But I wouldn't be upset by the argument in favor.

I can't get on board with the Shannon and Woodson arguments. They were critical to that first SB and helping to establish a winning culture here. But, neither of them are primarily known as "Ravens". Feel the same about Peyton and the Broncos and now Tom and the Bucs. Great HOF players that already constructed the bulk or even all of their qualifications prior to joining a new team.