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.
History
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Packers_Retired_Numbers_at_Lambeau_Field.jpg/220px-Packers_Retired_Numbers_at_Lambeau_Field.jpg)
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.
Reggie White is the only player whose number was retired by two teams (the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles). While Peyton Manning's number is only officially retired by the Indianapolis Colts, he 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 permission to wear the number).[1] The Atlanta Falcons,[2][3] Dallas Cowboys,[4] and Las Vegas Raiders[5] traditionally do not retire jersey numbers. The New Orleans Saints previously retired 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.[citation needed]
The Buffalo Bills under previous owner Ralph Wilson also did not, retire jersey numbers, with the exception of Jim Kelly. 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
[edit]Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame |
![Jim Kelly in 2010](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/Jim_Kelly_2010_02.jpg/170px-Jim_Kelly_2010_02.jpg)
![Otto Graham in 1959](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/A_photo_of_Otto_Graham.jpg/170px-A_photo_of_Otto_Graham.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Jim_Brown_1959_Topps.jpg/170px-Jim_Brown_1959_Topps.jpg)
![Lenny Moore in 2011](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/1lenny_moore.jpg/170px-1lenny_moore.jpg)
![Phil Simms in 2003](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Phil_Simms_at_Rams_Park_2004-10-07.jpg/170px-Phil_Simms_at_Rams_Park_2004-10-07.jpg)
![Gale Sayers giving a speech in 2008](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Gale-Sayers-Jan052008-ArmyFBAwards.jpg/170px-Gale-Sayers-Jan052008-ArmyFBAwards.jpg)
![Mike Ditka in the press booth of a pre-season football game](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Mike_ditka_topps_card_cropped.jpg/170px-Mike_ditka_topps_card_cropped.jpg)
![Fran Tarkenton in 2010](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7e/Fran_Tarkenton_January_2010.jpg/170px-Fran_Tarkenton_January_2010.jpg)
![Warren Sapp visiting members of the US Navy](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Warren_Sapp.jpg/170px-Warren_Sapp.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Peyton_Manning_Miami_Super_Bowl_XLIV_team_photo.jpg/170px-Peyton_Manning_Miami_Super_Bowl_XLIV_team_photo.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/Sonny_Jurgensen.jpg/170px-Sonny_Jurgensen.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Tom_Brady_2019.jpg/170px-Tom_Brady_2019.jpg)
Player | No. | Team | Tenure | Year retired | Refs.[9] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Larry Wilson | 8 | Arizona Cardinals | 1960–1972 | 1970 | |
Pat Tillman | 40 | 1998–2001 | 2004 | [10] | |
Stan Mauldin | 77 | 1946–1948 | |||
J. V. Cain | 88 | 1974–1978 | 1979 | ||
Marshall Goldberg[a] | 99 | 1939–1943, 1946–1948 |
|||
Jim Kelly | 12 | Buffalo Bills | 1986–1996 | 2001 | [13] |
Thurman Thomas | 34 | 1988–1999 | 2018 | [14] | |
Bruce Smith | 78 | 1985–1999 | 2016 | [15] | |
Sam Mills | 51 | Carolina Panthers | 1995–1997 | 2005 | |
Bronko Nagurski | 3 | Chicago Bears | 1930–1937, 1943 | [16] | |
George McAfee | 5 | 1940–1941, 1945–1950 |
1955 | [16] | |
George Halas | 7 | 1920–1928 | [16] | ||
Willie Galimore | 28 | 1957–1963 | [16] | ||
Walter Payton | 34 | 1975–1987 | [16] | ||
Gale Sayers | 40 | 1965–1971 | 1994 | [16] | |
Brian Piccolo | 41 | 1965–1969 | [16] | ||
Sid Luckman | 42 | 1939–1950 | [16] | ||
Dick Butkus | 51 | 1965–1973 | 1994 | [16] | |
Bill Hewitt | 56 | 1932–1936 | [16] | ||
Bill George | 61 | 1952–1965 | [16] | ||
Bulldog Turner | 66 | 1940–1952 | [16] | ||
Red Grange | 77 | 1925–1934 | [16] | ||
Mike Ditka | 89 | 1961–1966 | 2013 | [17][16] | |
Bob Johnson | 54 | Cincinnati Bengals | 1968–1979 | 1978 | |
Otto Graham | 14 | Cleveland Browns | 1946–1955 | ||
Jim Brown | 32 | 1957–1965 | |||
Ernie Davis | 45 | 1962[b] | 1963 | ||
Don Fleming | 46 | 1960–1962 | |||
Lou Groza | 76 | 1946–1959, 1961–1967 |
1968 | [21][22] | |
John Elway | 7 | Denver Broncos | 1983–1998 | 1999 | [23][24] |
Frank Tripucka[c] | 18 | 1960–1963 | 1963 | [24] | |
Floyd Little | 44 | 1967–1975 | 1984 | [24] | |
Dutch Clark | 7 | Detroit Lions | 1931–1932, 1934–1938 |
1939 | [29][30][31] |
Lem Barney | 20 | 1967–1977 | 2004 | [32][33] | |
Barry Sanders | 1989–1998 | ||||
Billy Sims | 1980–1984 | ||||
Bobby Layne | 22 | 1950–1958 | [29] | ||
Doak Walker | 37 | 1950–1955 | 1955 | [29][34][35] | |
Joe Schmidt | 56 | 1953–1965 | [29] | ||
Chuck Hughes | 85 | 1970–1971 | [29] | ||
Tony Canadeo | 3 | Green Bay Packers | 1941–1952 | 1952 | |
Brett Favre | 4 | 1992–2007 | 2015 | ||
Don Hutson | 14 | 1935–1945 | 1951 | ||
Bart Starr | 15 | 1956–1971 | 1973 | ||
Ray Nitschke | 66 | 1958–1972 | 1983 | ||
Reggie White | 92 | 1993–1998 | 1999 | [36] | |
Peyton Manning | 18 | Indianapolis Colts | 1998–2011 | 2017 | [37] |
Johnny Unitas | 19 | 1956–1972 | [38] | ||
Buddy Young | 22 | 1953–1955 | [38] | ||
Lenny Moore | 24 | 1956–1967 | 1968 | [38] | |
Art Donovan | 70 | 1953–1961 | 1962 | [38] | |
Jim Parker | 77 | 1957–1967 | [38] | ||
Raymond Berry | 82 | 1955–1967 | [38] | ||
Gino Marchetti | 89 | 1953–1966 | [38] | ||
Tony Boselli | 71 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 1995–2001 | 2022 | [39] |
Jan Stenerud | 3 | Kansas City Chiefs | 1967–1979 | 1992 | |
Len Dawson | 16 | 1962–1975 | |||
Emmitt Thomas | 18 | 1966–1978 | 2008 | ||
Abner Haynes | 28 | 1960–1964 | |||
Stone Johnson | 33 | 1963[d] | 1963 | [43] | |
Mack Lee Hill | 36 | 1964–1965 | |||
Derrick Thomas | 58 | 1989–1999 | 2009 | [44] | |
Willie Lanier | 63 | 1967–1977 | 1992 | ||
Bobby Bell | 78 | 1963–1974 | 1984 | ||
Buck Buchanan | 86 | 1963–1975 | 1992 | ||
Dan Fouts | 14 | Los Angeles Chargers[e] | 1973–1987 | 1988 | [49][50][51] |
Charlie Joiner | 18 | 1976–1986 | 2023 | [52] | |
Lance Alworth | 19 | 1962–1970 | 2005 | [51][53] | |
LaDainian Tomlinson | 21 | 2001–2009 | 2015 | [51][54] | |
Junior Seau | 55 | 1990–2002 | 2012 | [51][55] | |
Kellen Winslow | 80 | 1979–1987 | 2023 | [52] | |
Bob Waterfield | 7 | Los Angeles Rams | 1945–1952 | 1952 | |
Marshall Faulk | 28 | 1999–2006 | 2007 | [56] | |
Eric Dickerson | 29 | 1983–1987 | |||
Merlin Olsen | 74 | 1962–1976 | |||
Deacon Jones | 75 | 1961–1971 | 2009 | [57] | |
Jackie Slater | 78 | 1976–1995 | 1996 | ||
Isaac Bruce | 80 | 1994–2007 | 2010 | [58] | |
Jack Youngblood | 85 | 1971–1984 | |||
Bob Griese | 12 | Miami Dolphins | 1967–1980 | 1985 | |
Dan Marino | 13 | 1983–1999 | 2000 | ||
Larry Csonka | 39 | 1968–1974, 1979 | 2002 | ||
Fran Tarkenton | 10 | Minnesota Vikings | 1961–1966, 1972–1978 |
1979 | |
Mick Tingelhoff | 53 | 1962–1978 | 2001 | ||
Jim Marshall | 70 | 1961–1979 | 1999 | ||
Korey Stringer | 77 | 1995–2000 | 2001 | ||
Cris Carter | 80 | 1990–2001 | 2003 | ||
Alan Page | 88 | 1967–1978 | 1988 | ||
Tom Brady | 12 | New England Patriots | 2000-2019 | 2024 | [59] |
Gino Cappelletti | 20 | 1960–1970 | [60] | ||
Mike Haynes | 40 | 1976–1982 | [60] | ||
Steve Nelson | 57 | 1974–1987 | 1988 | [60] | |
John Hannah | 73 | 1973–1985 | [60] | ||
Bruce Armstrong | 78 | 1987–2000 | 2000 | [60] | |
Jim Lee Hunt | 79 | 1960–1970 | [60] | ||
Bob Dee | 89 | 1960–1967 | [60] | ||
Ray Flaherty | 1 | New York Giants | 1928–1935 | 1935 | |
Tuffy Leemans | 4 | 1936–1943 | 1940 | ||
Mel Hein | 7 | 1931–1945 | 1963 | ||
Eli Manning | 10 | 2004–2019 | 2021 | [61] | |
Phil Simms | 11 | 1979–1993 | 1995 | ||
Ward Cuff | 14 | 1937–1945 | 1946 | [62] | |
Y. A. Tittle | 1961–1964 | 1965 | |||
Frank Gifford | 16 | 1952–1964 | 2000 | ||
Al Blozis | 32 | 1942–1944 | 1945 | ||
Joe Morrison | 40 | 1959–1972 | 1973 | ||
Charlie Conerly | 42 | 1948–1961 | 1962 | ||
Ken Strong | 50 | 1936–1947 | 1968 | ||
Lawrence Taylor | 56 | 1981–1993 | 1994 | ||
Michael Strahan | 92 | 1993–2007 | 2021 | [63] | |
Joe Namath | 12 | New York Jets | 1965–1976 | 1985 | |
Don Maynard | 13 | 1963–1972 | |||
Curtis Martin | 28 | 1998–2005 | 2012 | [64] | |
Joe Klecko | 73 | 1977–1987 | 2004 | ||
Dennis Byrd | 90 | 1989–1992 | 2012 | [65][66] | |
Weeb Ewbank | Jacket | 1963–1973 | |||
Donovan McNabb | 5 | Philadelphia Eagles | 1999–2009 | 2013 | [67] |
Steve Van Buren | 15 | 1944–1951 | 1951 | [68] | |
Brian Dawkins | 20 | 1996–2008 | 2012 | [69] | |
Tom Brookshier | 40 | 1953–1961 | 1962 | [68] | |
Pete Retzlaff | 44 | 1956–1966 | 1965 | [68] | |
Chuck Bednarik | 60 | 1949–1962 | |||
Al Wistert | 70 | 1944–1951 | 1952 | [68] | |
Reggie White | 92 | 1985–1992 | 2005 | [68][70] | |
Jerome Brown | 99 | 1987–1991 | 1992 | [68][71] | |
Franco Harris | 32 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 1972–1983 | 2022 | [72] |
Ernie Stautner | 70 | 1950–1963 | 1964 | ||
Joe Greene | 75 | 1969–1981 | 2014 | [73] | |
Steve Young | 8 | San Francisco 49ers | 1987–1999 | 2008 | [74] |
John Brodie[f] | 12 | 1957–1973 | 1973 | ||
Joe Montana | 16 | 1979–1992 | 1997 | ||
Joe Perry | 34 | 1948–1960 | 1971 | ||
Jimmy Johnson | 37 | 1961–1976 | 1977 | ||
Hugh McElhenny | 39 | 1952–1960 | 1971 | ||
Ronnie Lott | 42 | 1981–1990 | 2003 | [76] | |
Charlie Krueger | 70 | 1959–1973 | 1974 | ||
Leo Nomellini | 73 | 1950–1963 | 1971 | ||
Bob St. Clair | 79 | 1953–1963 | 2001 | ||
Jerry Rice | 80 | 1985–2000 | 2010 | [77] | |
Dwight Clark | 87 | 1979–1987 | 1988 | ||
Kenny Easley | 45 | Seattle Seahawks | 1981–1987 | 2017 | |
Walter Jones | 71 | 1997–2009 | 2010 | ||
Steve Largent[g] | 80 | 1976–1989 | 1992 | [79] | |
Cortez Kennedy | 96 | 1990–2000 | 2012 | [80][81] | |
FAN (12s) | 12 | — | 1984 | ||
Derrick Brooks | 55 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1995–2008 | 2014 | [82] |
Lee Roy Selmon | 63 | 1976–1984 | 1986 | ||
Warren Sapp | 99 | 1995–2003 | 2013 | [83] | |
Warren Moon | 1 | Tennessee Titans | 1984–1993 | 2006 | [84][85] |
Steve McNair | 9 | 1995–2005 | 2019 | [86] | |
Eddie George | 27 | 1996–2003 | 2019 | [86] | |
Earl Campbell | 34 | 1978–1984 | 1987 | ||
Jim Norton | 43 | 1960–1968 | |||
Mike Munchak | 63 | 1982–1993 | 1996 | ||
Elvin Bethea | 65 | 1968–1983 | 1983 | ||
Bruce Matthews | 74 | 1983–2001 | 2002 | ||
Sonny Jurgensen | 9 | Washington Commanders | 1964–1974 | 2022 | [87] |
Sean Taylor | 21 | 2004–2007 | 2021 | [88] | |
Darrell Green | 28 | 1983–2002 | 2024 | [89] | |
Sammy Baugh | 33 | 1937–1952 | [90] | ||
Bobby Mitchell | 49 | 1962–1968 | 2020 | [90] |
See also
[edit]- List of Green Bay Packers retired numbers
- Los Angeles Chargers retired numbers
- List of San Francisco 49ers retired numbers
- List of NCAA football retired numbers
Notes
[edit]- ^ 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]
- ^ 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]
- ^ 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]
- ^ 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]
- ^ 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]
- ^ 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.[75]
- ^ 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.[78]
References
[edit]- ^ Lynch, Tim (September 18, 2016). "Denver Broncos to unveil retired number signage on Sunday". Mile High Report.
- ^ "Atlanta Falcons Ring Of Honor". Atlanta.
- ^ "The Raiders don't retire numbers, but we'd honor these 7 in team's last Oakland season". Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ "Jaylon Smith, Donovan Wilson Switch Numbers". www.dallascowboys.com. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ "4 legendary jersey numbers the Raiders should retire". Raiders Wire. June 13, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ Retire jerseys? Saints no.
- ^ "Bills to retire Hall of Famer Smith's No. 78 jersey". ESPN.com. May 11, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ "The 00 Fad: It's Much Ado About Nothing". The Chicago Tribune. May 27, 1990.
- ^ "NFL Retired Player Numbers". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
- ^ "Pat Tillman". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
- ^ "Marshall Goldberg's daughter says J. J. Watt can wear No. 99". ProFootballTalk. March 2, 2021. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
- ^ Teams shouldn’t retire jerseys if they don’t intend to keep them retired by Mike Florio on March 2, 2021 - NBC Sports
- ^ The Times newspaper 2001-12-19, scanned and uploaded to Google News, retrieved December 6, 2011
- ^ Bills to retire Thurman Thomas' number 34 during Monday's game. Rochester First (October 29, 2018). Retrieved October 30, 2018.
- ^ Bills’ Bruce Smith to have jersey number retired at 2016 home opener. WIVB-TV (May 10, 2016). Retrieved May 10, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Team Facts". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ "Chicago icon Ditka gets Bears jersey retired". ESPN.com. December 10, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ "Blood disorder expected to keep Davis on sidelines". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. August 2, 1962. p. 1D.
- ^ "Illness may delay Davis' NFL debut". Chicago Tribune. August 2, 1962. p. 3, part 6.
- ^ "Ernie Davis loses battle with leukemia". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. May 18, 1963. p. 1B.
- ^ "Lou "The Toe" Groza". Lou Groza Charity Golf Event. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
- ^ "Lou Groza". American Football Kicking Hall of Fame. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
- ^ Capello, Jilly (September 23, 2019). "Broncos Retired John Elway's Jersey 20 Years Ago -- Where Is He Now?". Sportscasting | Pure Sports. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Broncos to display three retired jersey numbers at stadium". The Denver Post. September 17, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ "Ex-Bronco Tripucka says Manning can wear familiar No. 18". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC. March 20, 2012. Archived from the original on April 27, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ "Broncos to unveil retired number signage Sunday". KUSA-TV. September 13, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
- ^ Lynch, Tim (September 18, 2016). "Denver Broncos to unveil retired number signage on Sunday". Mile High Report. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ Swanson, Ben (September 18, 2016). "Broncos unveil retired numbers tribute in pregame ceremony". DenverBroncos.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on May 23, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Detroit Lions Team Facts". ProFootballHOF.com. NFL Enterprises. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
- ^ Willis, Chris (2012). Dutch Clark: The Life of an NFL Legend and the Birth of the Detroit Lions. The Scarecrow Press, Inc. p. 277. ISBN 978-0810885202. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^ "Cleveland Rams at Detroit Lions - October 15th, 1939". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^ Hackenberg, Dave (November 26, 2004). "Lions have 20-20-20 vision". Toledo Blade. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
- ^ "Lem Barney through the years". Detroit Free Press.
- ^ Berson, Jake (December 7, 1955). "Lions Hold 'Day' For Walker Sunday". Detroit Free Press. p. 7. Archived from the original on December 28, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Northard, Lloyd (December 12, 1955). "Lions Honor Doak: Walker Hangs Up NFL Cleats, Scoring Title". Brownwood (TX) Bulletin. p. 4. Archived from the original on December 28, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Packers retire Reggie White's jersey" Archived December 21, 2007, at archive.today, October 11, 1999
- ^ "Colts to Erect Peyton Manning Statue Outside of Lucas Oil Stadium". Archived from the original on March 20, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g Played for the Colts while the franchise was at Baltimore.
- ^ Isom, Brie (October 9, 2022). "Tony Boselli's number officially retired, receives Pro Football Hall of Fame ring during halftime". News4Jax. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
- ^ "Stone Johnson dies of broken neck". The Baltimore Afro-American. September 14, 1963. p. 23. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
- ^ "Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame". Kansas City Chiefs. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
- ^ "Chiefs History: 1960's". Kansas City Chiefs. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
- ^ Johnson died from injuries sustained in the 1963 preseason, his rookie campaign. Stone Johnson died 50 years ago from injury in NFL game
- ^ "Chiefs retire Thomas' No. 58 at half" - ESPN, December 6, 2009
- ^ Sullivan, Tim (March 4, 2010). "Retiring a number can be tricky math problem". The San Diego Union Tribune. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015.
- ^ "Politics Lure Charger's Mix". Schenectady Gazette. December 3, 1969. p. 37. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
- ^ Sullivan, George (2000). Any Number Can Play:The Numbers Athletes Wear. Milbrook Press. p. 58. ISBN 0761315578. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
- ^ Canepa, Nick (May 13, 2012). "Chargers have several more numbers they should retire". U-T San Diego. Archived from the original on October 19, 2015.
- ^ Hewitt, Brian (March 31, 1988). "Chargers Have Seen Their Final No. 14 : Spanos Says Fouts' Jersey to Become Only One Retired by Team". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
- ^ Crow, Alfie (May 12, 2012). "Chargers Will Retire Junior Seau's No. 55". SB Nation. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
Fouts' number was retired in 1988 and Alworth's was retired in 2005.
- ^ a b c d Played for the Chargers while the franchise was at San Diego.
- ^ a b "Chargers to Retire Numbers of Pro Football Hall of Fame Receiver Charlie Joiner and Pro Football Hall of Fame Tight End Kellen Winslow at Season Opener". Chargers.com. August 24, 2023.
- ^ "On a banner day for Alworth, Chargers retire jersey No. 19", The San Diego Union Tribune, November 21, 2005
- ^ "Chargers To Retire LaDainian Tomlinson's Number". Archived from the original on March 31, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
- ^ ESPN, May 11, 2012
- ^ "Rams retire Faulk's No. 28 jersey at halftime", NFL news (official), December 22, 2007
- ^ "Rams retire Jones' No. 75 jersey", ESPN, September 27, 2009
- ^ "Rams retire Isaac Bruce's number", ESPN, October 31, 2010
- ^ Graff, Chad (June 12, 2024). "Brady inducted into Patriots Hall of Fame, No. 12 jersey retired by team". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Dussault, Mike (May 25, 2023). "Patriots assign new veteran numbers, temporary rookie numbers". New England Patriots. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ Botte, Peter (January 24, 2020). "Eli Manning saying goodbye to Giants 'my way' in retirement press conference".
- ^ "NY Giants information guide" (PDF). NFL.com. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- ^ "Giants also planning to retire Michael Strahan's No. 92". January 25, 2020.
- ^ "Curtis Martin has jersey number retired by Jets", Daynews, September 9, 2012
- ^ Cimini, Rich (October 24, 2012). "The bond no man could break". ESPNNewYork.com. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
- ^ Lange, Randy (October 28, 2012). "Jets Come Up Empty in 30-9 Loss to Dolphins". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
- ^ "Fans cheer as McNabb has number retired". ESPN.com. September 20, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f Daily Philadelphian.com Archived May 13, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, August 14, 2011
- ^ "Dawkins Speaks, Number Retired".
- ^ "Eagles honor Reggie White, retire his jersey", ESPN, December 5, 2005
- ^ "Eagles make sure no one wears 99 again" - The Morning Call, September 7, 1992
- ^ Staff, Mike DeFabo and The Athletic. "Steelers legend Franco Harris has jersey retired". The Athletic. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ "'Completely overwhelming': Steelers raise curtain on Joe Greene's No. 75". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- ^ "49ers to retire Young's #8", TSN website, September 25, 2008
- ^ "Dilfer to wear longtime hero Brodie's No. 12" Archived November 2, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, ESPN, July 28, 2006. Retrieved February 2, 2022
- ^ "49ers to retire Lott's jersey" - SF Gate.com, November 6, 2003
- ^ "49ers retire Jerry Rice's number at half" - ESPN, September 21, 2010
- ^ Bishop, Greg (October 29, 2004). "Hawks offered No. 80, Rice says". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
- ^ "Seahawks/NFL: Loan of No. 80 a class act by Hawks' classiest", October 22, 2004
- ^ "Seahawks retire Cortez Kennedy's No. 96", King5.com Archived December 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, October 14, 2012
- ^ "Hawks to retire Cortez Kennedy’s jersey", The News Tribune, October 11, 2012
- ^ "Brooks' #55 To Be Retired".
- ^ "Bucs to retire Warren Sapp's No. 99", May 2, 2013
- ^ "Titans Retire Warren Moon's No. 1", October 6, 2010
- ^ "Retired jersey numbers on Titans website". Archived from the original on July 8, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
- ^ a b Wagner-McGough, Sean (June 12, 2019). "Titans to retire Steve McNair's No. 9 and Eddie George's No. 27 jerseys during home opener". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ Harrison, David (January 8, 2023). "Washington Legend Sonny Jurgensen Jersey Retired by Franchise". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ "WFT to retire Taylor's 21 in rare honor for team". ESPN. October 14, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ Keim, John (April 25, 2024). "Commanders to retire Darrell Green's No. 28: 'Means a ton'". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ a b Keim, John (June 20, 2020). "Washington Redskins to retire No. 49 of Bobby Mitchell, HOFer and team's first black player". ESPN. Retrieved June 20, 2020.