Retired Numbers

[NOLA Bronco]

Since I am new, I apologize if this has been discussed previously (which I am sure it has).

What is the general thought about the retirement of numbers?

7 was a given, but what about 84 (future HOFer) or 30? How about 80 when the time comes? I always thought 44, 57, and 77 should never be worn again, but I changed my thinking when the Broncos changed Unis. You could even make a case for 87 (for Jackson) and obviously 27.

I think 84 should be, out of simple respect. I think 80 better be after the team records he sets. And 30, it's a shame it isn't already. To this day, I shake my head and think about the "what ifs" with TD. I doubt the Broncos will ever have another RB like him.

[ludo21]

Bowlen said the only way another number will be retired is he will have to have "Elway Status". So in that way of thinking, only Rod should get his # retired.

Sharpe and TD no.

[FantomForce]

As much as I hate to admit it 30 will not be retired for TD. Great guy excellent player, just not enough time played to retire the number

[NOLA Bronco]

I know what the fur coat wearer said. I am asking what the fans think? Its seems weird to see 30 with someone else's name.

[Hogan11]

Since I am new, I apologize if this has been discussed previously (which I am sure it has).

What is the general thought about the retirement of numbers?

7 was a given, but what about 84 (future HOFer) or 30? How about 80 when the time comes? I always thought 44, 57, and 77 should never be worn again, but I changed my thinking when the Broncos changed Unis. You could even make a case for 87 (for Jackson) and obviously 27.

I think 84 should be, out of simple respect. I think 80 better be after the team records he sets. And 30, it's a shame it isn't already. To this day, I shake my head and think about the "what ifs" with TD. I doubt the Broncos will ever have another RB like him.

First off, I'll always welcome another NOLA person to the board wholeheartedly. I was once a resident (albeit briefly) and have always loved the city.

That said...onto the number thing. People are partial to #84 & #30 but the fact is that Bowlen has said he'll never retire any numbers unless they meet the standard of Elway....so, in short, you can forget it.
#7 & #44 are givens...but for the life of me, I've yet to fully understand why Tripuka's #18 is retired. Someone? Anyone?? Bueller? Bueller??

[ksBRONCOfan]

That is an awful lot of numbers to be taken out of the limited options. Even though those numbers represent of a lot of great players, the only one that deserves to be retired, already is. Elway and Broncos go hand in hand. People that are not even football fans associate the two.

[Jason in LA]

I'd say only HOF players. So Sharpe yes. As much as I want to see Rod make the HOF, he's not getting in. So no, his number shouldn't be retired. If TD gets in, then his number should be retired.

[Hogan11]

I know what the fur coat wearer said. I am asking what the fans think? Its seems weird to see 30 with someone else's name.

Asking the fans what they think is like asking for half the numbers available to be retired......it's a bad move because there wouldn't be very many left afterwards. The newbies have to wear something.

[NOLA Bronco]

I didn't realize 44 was. I could swear I have seen it recently.

[Hogan11]

I didn't realize 44 was. I could swear I have seen it recently.

Floyd Little was the Broncos before Elway came along.....#44 isn't even close to being debatable.

[ludo21]

Floyd Little was the Broncos before Elway came along.....#44 isn't even close to being debatable.


He carried us through those darker years. I wasnt alive, but the footage and articles Ive read on him are amazing.

[NOLA Bronco]

Asking the fans what they think is like asking for half the numbers available to be retired......it's a bad move because there wouldn't be very many left afterwards. The newbies have to wear something.

I see your point, but there are 100 numbers (I think 00 should be allowed), and 53 guys on the team. That leaves plenty to be used. Of course the NFL should get their head out of their tush and change the number rule.

My thinking is the player who set the standards. Smith - from scout team to franchise record setter. TD - from 6th round to 2k and SB MVP.

I would put them above 27, 57, and 77, but I think their achievements dwarf all others that came before and those will probably come after.


You will see I am one who doesn't think TD or Smith get the attention they deserve.

[NOLA Bronco]

Floyd Little was the Broncos before Elway came along.....#44 isn't even close to being debatable.

Oh, I know who he is. I just didn't think it was retired. I am glad it is.

[Hogan11]

I see your point, but there are 100 numbers (I think 00 should be allowed), and 53 guys on the team. That leaves plenty to be used. Of course the NFL should get their head out of their tush and change the number rule.

My thinking is the player who set the standards. Smith - from scout team to franchise record setter. TD - from 6th round to 2k and SB MVP.

I would put them above 27, 57, and 77, but I think their achievements dwarf all others that came before and those will probably come after.


You will see I am one who doesn't think TD or Smith get the attention they deserve.

It's a quagmire really....say you did retire #77 ...would that be for Meckleberg or Alzado? Alzado would be just as deserving...lot's of people feel this one or that one should be retired, but to speculate on it is a bit pointless since the Big Man has said basically forget it. IMO Bowlen has done just as much wrong as he has right when it comes to things such as this...

BTW: No one knows why Tripuka's #18 is retired? C'Mon, someone has to know on here......?

[-Slap-]

BTW: No one knows why Tripuka's #18 is retired? C'Mon, someone has to know on here......?
Equal parts stupidity and sentimentality, I would say.

There are simply not enough available numbers to retire any, but the true legends of the game.

[Bronco LB 59]

BTW: No one knows why Tripuka's #18 is retired? C'Mon, someone has to know on here......?


Broncos announced Tripucka's #18 was not retired last season.


http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showthread.php?t=26761&highlight=Frank+Tripucka

[Archie]

I know what the fur coat wearer said. I am asking what the fans think? Its seems weird to see 30 with someone else's name.

People thought it seemed weird to see #7 after Morton took us to the Super Bowl. I was young but I remember people asking if Elway should get to wear #7 in Denver. I think a retired jersey has to be someone who has made a significant impact to the franchise as a whole and done it year after year after year....

Denver has had a lot of great players. <EDIT already retired is Little that realized posting, after so ->But the only other jersey I could agree with them retiring (and probably he didn't play long enough either) is Floyd Little #44. <Edit: ok, so at the time I wrote this I didn't know they had retired this number - but I support it>. All the others that you mention are great players but either time of service or individual impact to the franchise as a whole is not where it needs to be...

"Elway status". He took us to 3 Super Bowls with pertty much average talent across the board. You could say he needed more talent to win a SB - but his impact to the franchise is absolutely undeniable and stands alone. It's a high bar, and I agree with it...

[Killericon]

Sharpe was the best TE of all time.....so his number should be retired. Rod's a stretch.....TD, well, if he had had a longer career, then I'd be all for it.

[Jason in LA]

If a guy makes the HOF, he made a major impact. Shannon Sharpe made a major impact. Greatest TE ever. Now that WRs can wear numbers outside of the 80s, I'd say they should retire his number when he's voted into the HOF. If Walker gets the number, then retire it after he's done.

If TD can get into the HOF, retire his number. Nalan will be considered for it. Zimmerman will get in at some point.

[Archie]

If a guy makes the HOF, he made a major impact. Shannon Sharpe made a major impact. Greatest TE ever. Now that WRs can wear numbers outside of the 80s, I'd say they should retire his number when he's voted into the HOF. If Walker gets the number, then retire it after he's done.

If TD can get into the HOF, retire his number. Nalan will be considered for it. Zimmerman will get in at some point.

you can't retire every number... If you retire Nalan then why not Keith Bishop? What about Haven Moses?

I'd be open to considering Sharpe. I think he's on the bubble. I think Gradishar would be on the same bubble. I don't agree with HOF means retired number. Despite our lousy HOF numbers, I expect some respect to finally come our way but everyone of those should not have a retired number. Retired Number is something above HOF status in my opinion.

[Jason in LA]

Only a few Broncos will end up in the HOF, so it won't be a problem. Now if they were going to put 50 players in the HOF, then it would be a problem.

[Tredici]

The institution of the NFL frowns upon and highly discourages the practice of number retiring.

If it's going to happen, I think it happens immediately as in the case of JE.

We've already suffered through other players sporting numbers I didn't think I could accept on anyone else. The game goes on.