List of National Football League retired numbers

Last updated

San Francisco 49ers. retired numbers displayed at Candlestick Park in June 2009 49ers retired numbers at Candlestick Park 2009-06-13.JPG
San Francisco 49ers. retired numbers displayed at Candlestick Park in June 2009

Teams in the National Football League (NFL) retire jersey numbers of players who either are considered by the team to have made significant contributions to that team's success, or who have experienced untimely deaths during their playing career. As with other leagues, once a team retires a player's jersey number, it never issues the number to any other player, unless the player or team explicitly allows it.

Contents

=History

The Green Bay Packers retired numbers on display at Lambeau Field, which include Reggie White, the only NFL player to have his number retired by two teams. Packers Retired Numbers at Lambeau Field.jpg
The Green Bay Packers retired numbers on display at Lambeau Field, which include Reggie White, the only NFL player to have his number retired by two teams.

Since NFL teams began retiring numbers, 163 players have had their jersey number retired. The Chicago Bears and the New York Giants have the most retired numbers of the teams with 14 each.

While only one player, Reggie White, has had his number retired by two teams, Peyton Manning received an acknowledgment when the Denver Broncos re-retired the number 18, which is officially retired under the name of Frank Tripucka (Tripucka granted Manning a special exception to wear the number). [1] Four teams, the Atlanta Falcons, [2] [3] the Dallas Cowboys, [4] and the Las Vegas Raiders [5] traditionally do not retire jersey numbers. The New Orleans Saints did retire numbers, having done so for Jim Taylor and Doug Atkins, but under new ownership those numbers were unretired. [6] Also without a retired jersey number are the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans, though these teams are less than 30 years old: in this regard, the Texans do not retire numbers but honor player jerseys instead.

The Buffalo Bills under Ralph Wilson also did not, with the exception of Jim Kelly, officially retire jersey numbers: this policy was reversed under Wilson's successor Terry Pegula. [7]

Unlike Major League Baseball (which retired Jackie Robinson's number 42), the National Hockey League (which retired Wayne Gretzky's 99), and the National Basketball Association (which retired Bill Russell's 6), the NFL has never retired a jersey number league-wide in honor of anyone.

Number 00 is no longer allowed, but was not retired in honor of any particular player; rather, the NFL's positional numbering system, instituted in 1973, does not allocate a position for players wearing that number- the NFL allowed 00 in the past, with Jim Otto and Ken Burrough wearing it. The number can be, and rarely is, used in the preseason when no other numbers for a player's position are available. [8]

Retired numbers

Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Jim Kelly, the first player to have his jersey number (12) officially retired by the Buffalo Bills, is seen here in 2010 Jim Kelly 2010 02.jpg
Jim Kelly, the first player to have his jersey number (12) officially retired by the Buffalo Bills, is seen here in 2010
Otto Graham, whose number 14 was retired by the Browns, at his new job, as the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Athletic Director in 1959 A photo of Otto Graham.jpg
Otto Graham, whose number 14 was retired by the Browns, at his new job, as the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Athletic Director in 1959
Jim Brown's #32 was retired by the Browns after his 9-years tenure on the franchise Jim Brown 1959 Topps.jpg
Jim Brown's #32 was retired by the Browns after his 9-years tenure on the franchise
Lenny Moore, whose number 24 was retired by the Colts, poses for a picture at Baltimore in 2011 1lenny moore.jpg
Lenny Moore, whose number 24 was retired by the Colts, poses for a picture at Baltimore in 2011
Junior Seau, whose number 55 was retired by the Chargers, in 2008 playing a game with the New England Patriots Junior Seau 2.JPG
Junior Seau, whose number 55 was retired by the Chargers, in 2008 playing a game with the New England Patriots
Phil Simms, whose number 11 was retired by the Giants, signing autographs at Rams Park in 2003 Phil Simms at Rams Park 2004-10-07.jpg
Phil Simms, whose number 11 was retired by the Giants, signing autographs at Rams Park in 2003
Gale Sayers, whose number 40 was retired by the Bears, giving a keynote speech at an awards ceremony in 2008 for the U.S. Army High School Football Player of the Year award Gale-Sayers-Jan052008-ArmyFBAwards.jpg
Gale Sayers, whose number 40 was retired by the Bears, giving a keynote speech at an awards ceremony in 2008 for the U.S. Army High School Football Player of the Year award
Mike Ditka, whose number 89 was retired by the Bears in a Monday night game against the Dallas Cowboys Mike ditka topps card cropped.jpg
Mike Ditka, whose number 89 was retired by the Bears in a Monday night game against the Dallas Cowboys
Fran Tarkenton, whose number 10 was retired by the Vikings, after giving a speech at Atlanta in 2010 Fran Tarkenton January 2010.jpg
Fran Tarkenton, whose number 10 was retired by the Vikings, after giving a speech at Atlanta in 2010
Warren Sapp (left), whose number 99 was retired by the Buccaneers, visits members of the US Navy in 2003 Warren Sapp.jpg
Warren Sapp (left), whose number 99 was retired by the Buccaneers, visits members of the US Navy in 2003
Peyton Manning's number 18 was retired by the Colts in 2017 Peyton Manning Miami Super Bowl XLIV team photo.jpg
Peyton Manning's number 18 was retired by the Colts in 2017
Sonny Jurgensen's number 9 was retired by the Washington Commanders in 2022 Sonny Jurgensen.jpg
Sonny Jurgensen's number 9 was retired by the Washington Commanders in 2022
PlayerNo.TeamTenureYear retiredRefs. [9]
Larry Wilson 8 Arizona Cardinals 1960–19721970
Pat Tillman 401998–20012004 [10]
Stan Mauldin 771946–1948
J. V. Cain 881974–19781979
Marshall Goldberg [lower-alpha 1] 991939–1943,
1946–1948
Jim Kelly 12 Buffalo Bills 1986–19962001 [13]
Thurman Thomas 341988–19992018 [14]
Bruce Smith 781985–19992016 [15]
Sam Mills 51 Carolina Panthers 1995–19972005
Bronko Nagurski 3 Chicago Bears 1930–1937, 1943 [16]
George McAfee 51940–1941,
1945–1950
1955 [16]
George Halas 71920–1928 [16]
Willie Galimore 281957–1963 [16]
Walter Payton 341975–1987 [16]
Gale Sayers 401965–19711994 [16]
Brian Piccolo 411965–1969 [16]
Sid Luckman 421939–1950 [16]
Dick Butkus 511965–19731994 [16]
Bill Hewitt 561932–1936 [16]
Bill George 611952–1965 [16]
Bulldog Turner 661940–1952 [16]
Red Grange 771925–1934 [16]
Mike Ditka 891961–19662013 [17] [16]
Bob Johnson 54 Cincinnati Bengals 1968–19791978
Otto Graham 14 Cleveland Browns 1946–1955
Jim Brown 321957–1965
Ernie Davis 451962 [lower-alpha 2] 1963
Don Fleming 461960–1962
Lou Groza 761946–1959,
1961–1967
1968 [21] [22]
John Elway 7 Denver Broncos 1983–19981999 [23] [24]
Frank Tripucka [lower-alpha 3] 181960–19631963 [24]
Floyd Little 441967–19751984 [24]
Dutch Clark 7 Detroit Lions 1931–1932,
1934–1938
1939 [29] [30] [31]
Lem Barney 201967–19772004 [32] [33]
Barry Sanders 1989–1998
Billy Sims 1980–1984
Bobby Layne 221950–1958 [29]
Doak Walker 371950–19551955 [29] [34] [35]
Joe Schmidt 561953–1965 [29]
Chuck Hughes 851970–1971 [29]
Tony Canadeo 3 Green Bay Packers 1941–19521952
Brett Favre 41992–20072015
Don Hutson 141935–19451951
Bart Starr 151956–19711973
Ray Nitschke 661958–19721983
Reggie White 921993–19981999 [36]
Peyton Manning 18 Indianapolis Colts 1998–20112017 [37]
Johnny Unitas 191956–1972 [38]
Buddy Young 221953–1955 [38]
Lenny Moore 241956–19671968 [38]
Art Donovan 701953–19611962 [38]
Jim Parker 771957–1967 [38]
Raymond Berry 821955–1967 [38]
Gino Marchetti 891953–1966 [38]
Tony Boselli 71 Jacksonville Jaguars 1995–20012022 [39]
Jan Stenerud 3 Kansas City Chiefs 1967–19791992
Len Dawson 161962–1975
Emmitt Thomas 181966–19782008
Abner Haynes 281960–1964
Stone Johnson 331963 [lower-alpha 4] 1963 [43]
Mack Lee Hill 361964–1965
Derrick Thomas 581989–19992009 [44]
Willie Lanier 631967–19771992
Bobby Bell 781963–19741984
Buck Buchanan 861963–19751992
Dan Fouts 14 Los Angeles Chargers [lower-alpha 5] 1973–19871988 [49] [50] [51]
Charlie Joiner 181976–19862023 [52]
Lance Alworth 191962–19702005 [51] [53]
LaDainian Tomlinson 212001–20092015 [51] [54]
Junior Seau 551990–20022012 [51] [55]
Kellen Winslow 801979–19872023 [52]
Bob Waterfield 7 Los Angeles Rams 1945–19521952
Marshall Faulk 281999–20062007 [56]
Eric Dickerson 291983–1987
Merlin Olsen 741962–1976
Deacon Jones 751961–19712009 [57]
Jackie Slater 781976–19951996
Isaac Bruce 801994–20072010 [58]
Jack Youngblood 851971–1984
Bob Griese 12 Miami Dolphins 1967–19801985
Dan Marino 131983–19992000
Larry Csonka 391968–1974, 19792002
Fran Tarkenton 10 Minnesota Vikings 1961–1966,
1972–1978
1979
Mick Tingelhoff 531962–19782001
Jim Marshall 701961–19791999
Korey Stringer 771995–20002001
Cris Carter 801990–20012003
Alan Page 881967–19781988
Gino Cappelletti 20 New England Patriots 1960–1970 [59]
Mike Haynes 401976–1982 [59]
Steve Nelson 571974–19871988 [59]
John Hannah 731973–1985 [59]
Bruce Armstrong 781987–20002000 [59]
Jim Lee Hunt 791960–1970 [59]
Bob Dee 891960–1967 [59]
Ray Flaherty 1 New York Giants 1928–19351935
Tuffy Leemans 41936–19431940
Mel Hein 71931–19451963
Eli Manning 102004–20192021 [60]
Phil Simms 111979–19931995
Ward Cuff 141937–19451946 [61]
Y. A. Tittle 1961–19641965
Frank Gifford 161952–19642000
Al Blozis 321942–19441945
Joe Morrison 401959–19721973
Charlie Conerly 421948–19611962
Ken Strong 501936–19471968
Lawrence Taylor 561981–19931994
Michael Strahan 921993–20072021 [62]
Joe Namath 12 New York Jets 1965–19761985
Don Maynard 131963–1972
Curtis Martin 281998–20052012 [63]
Joe Kłecko 731977–19872004
Dennis Byrd 901989–19922012 [64] [65]
Weeb Ewbank Jacket1963–1973
Donovan McNabb 5 Philadelphia Eagles 1999–20092013 [66]
Steve Van Buren 151944–19511951 [67]
Brian Dawkins 201996–20082012 [68]
Tom Brookshier 401953–19611962 [67]
Pete Retzlaff 441956–19661965 [67]
Chuck Bednarik 601949–1962
Al Wistert 701944–19511952 [67]
Reggie White 921985–19922005 [67] [69]
Jerome Brown 991987–19911992 [67] [70]
Franco Harris 32 Pittsburgh Steelers 1972–19832022 [71]
Ernie Stautner 701950–19631964
Joe Greene 751969–19812014 [72]
Steve Young 8 San Francisco 49ers 1987–19992008 [73]
John Brodie [lower-alpha 6] 121957–19731973
Joe Montana 161979–19921997
Joe Perry 341948–19601971
Jimmy Johnson 371961–19761977
Hugh McElhenny 391952–19601971
Ronnie Lott 421981–19902003 [75]
Charlie Krueger 701959–19731974
Leo Nomellini 731950–19631971
Bob St. Clair 791953–19632001
Jerry Rice 801985–20002010 [76]
Dwight Clark 871979–19871988
Kenny Easley 45 Seattle Seahawks 1981–19872017
Walter Jones 711997–20092010
Steve Largent [lower-alpha 7] 801976–19891992 [78]
Cortez Kennedy 961990–20002012 [79] [80]
FAN (12s) 121984
Derrick Brooks 55 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1995–20082014 [81]
Lee Roy Selmon 631976–19841986
Warren Sapp 991995–20032013 [82]
Warren Moon 1 Tennessee Titans 1984–19932006 [83] [84]
Steve McNair 91995–20052019 [85]
Eddie George 271996–20032019 [85]
Earl Campbell 341978–19841987
Jim Norton 431960–1968
Mike Munchak 631982–19931996
Elvin Bethea 651968–19831983
Bruce Matthews 741983–20012002
Sonny Jurgensen 9 Washington Commanders 1964–19742022 [86]
Sean Taylor 212004–20072021 [87]
Sammy Baugh 331937–1952 [88]
Bobby Mitchell 491962–19682020 [88]

See also

Notes

  1. No. 99 was re-issued to J. J. Watt after Goldberg's daughter gave her blessing for Watt to wear it on March 2, 2021. Watt wore No. 99 for the 2021 and 2022 seasons until his retirement. [11] [12]
  2. Davis was diagnosed with leukemia that same year, [18] [19] and died shortly after at age 23 without ever playing in a professional game. [20]
  3. No. 18 was re-issued for Peyton Manning after Tripucka gave his approval; it was used by Manning from the 2012 season until his retirement after the 2015 season. [25] Manning's name was added to the retired number's banner as an honorable mention. [26] [27] [28]
  4. On August 30, 1963, he suffered a fractured vertebra in his neck in a preseason game against the Houston Oilers in during a kickoff return. He died 10 days later, on September 8, at the age of 23. [40] He was only on the team's active roster during preseason. [41] [42]
  5. Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle Ron Mix in 1969 was the first Charger to have his number retired (#74) after he announced he was quitting football. [45] [46] However, he came out of retirement in 1971 to play for the Oakland Raiders. [47] Then-Chargers owner Gene Klein, who hated the Raiders, unretired Mix's #74. [48]
  6. During his tenure with the 49ers from 2006 to 2007, quarterback Trent Dilfer, a long-time friend of Brodie, wore No. 12 with his permission, unofficially unretiring the number as a tribute. [74]
  7. Jerry Rice wore No. 80 for his 2004 stint with the Seahawks. According to Rice, the team offered him the jersey number, with Largent's permission. [77]

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