Why is Sammy Baugh's #33 the only "Officially" retired number?

I think the Redskins use the Ring Of Fame to honor its players instead of retiring the jersey.

I have 2 schools of thought on this.

On the one hand, I don't know that retiring numbers in the NFL is really all that feasible. I mean, with the number restrictions and such, it makes it slightly more difficult. Receivers, for a long period of time, were only allowed to wear numbers in the 80's, that changed, in my lifetime, but it would have been incredibly restrictive to retire numbers in the 80's when you consider you're probably going to have 8 guys (3 TE's and 5 WR's) on your team who would choose a number in the 80s. While the situation is a little different for Defensive backs, offensive linemen and such, it's still not all that feasible to retire the numbers of great players.

That leads me into my next thought. I kind of like the way Dallas approached thenumber 88. I like that handing Dez Bryant number 88 was essentially saying, "This is what we expect of you." The Pats did the same thing with Dont'a Hightower this year when they gave him Tedy Bruschi's #54. Supposedly that was symbolic in the same way that the 88 to Dez was; the issue with that is that they are apparently just going to forget that they also gave it to Brian Waters in between the time Bruschi retired and Hightower was drafted.

It's not like the Skins haven't honored their "greats". There's the ring of honor and their numbers are taken out of rotation unless they grant permission for someone to wear them. Baugh is truly one of the all time greats in league history. I kinda like that he's the only one that's officially retired.

Absolutely not. His career doesn't even remotely warrant retiring his jersey. I like Taylor as much as the next person but people have put him into this class that he simply isn't. It's the same reason why Terrell Davis will never see the Hall of Fame. Accidents happen and it's unfortunate, but there isn't a reason to retire his number. I'm fine with the Ring of Honor and that's where it should stop at.

Completely agree. His number shouldn't be retired, but I like that they've waited a while.

28 will probably be the next officially retired #.

I like the way the Skins handle it. It's impossible to honor guys with retiring their numbers in the NFL until/unless 3 digits are incorporated and the numbering system changes. Thus, a rookie safety in 2014 could have number 128. However, if Revis comes to the team via FA next year and really wants 28, have Green symbolically hand it over. Same if Morris wants 44 after his breakout rookie season (which I think would be awesome because he reminds me of Riggo anyway!). When you have a team with 80 years of players and 53 currently need numbers it's impossible to retire numbers.
That being said, Baugh is and always will be the greatest Skin. Though we currently have a Texan QB who is changing the position.

It's not like the Skins haven't honored their "greats". There's the ring of honor and their numbers are taken out of rotation unless they grant permission for someone to wear them. Baugh is truly one of the all time greats in league history. I kinda like that he's the only one that's officially retired.

This.

It's not like the Skins haven't honored their "greats". There's the ring of honor and their numbers are taken out of rotation unless they grant permission for someone to wear them. Baugh is truly one of the all time greats in league history. I kinda like that he's the only one that's officially retired.

Agreed. Baugh is a legend to the whole sport, not just us.


If we were to retire more, I'd expect #44, 28, 81, 7 but they're not going to be worn regardless of he "officialness" of the retirement.

I'm not sure about the Jason Campbell/Doug Williams "permission" story. JC was a big fan of DW and I think it was more of a courtesy/honor if he did ask...nothing official. We've had other players wear #17 since Williams...John Friesz, Danny Wuerffel and I remember some punter or kicker too.

I think the Redskins use the Ring Of Fame to honor its players instead of retiring the jersey.

This. Its the name on the jersey and not the number. I am not in favor of any number being retired. Put the name and number in the ring of honor. There are only 99 numbers (unless you count 00) that are ever going to be on the back of the jersey.

We should do what baseball does for Jackie Robinson and trot out a whole team wearing #33 for one game. I'd love it.

Everyone should wear a left arm sleeve too. Imagine the confusion for the defense. "Which one is RGIII!?!?!?"

I'd do it against the Giants because Coughlin would blow the biggest gasket.

I just hope 28 is never worn again. I think too many people lump it in with 81, 7, 9, 44. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I see 28 differently than the other unofficially retired numbers.