OJ Brigance (Holding Back #57, Possible RofH)

[display name]

The Baltimore Ravens seem to be holding back #57. The popular assumption is that it is out of respect of former Baltimore LB and current motivator OJ Brigance, who currently suffers from ALS, which is eventually fatal. I'm sure everybody here knows of his situation, but that was in case you've been living under a rock.

While the Ravens officially have no retired #s, they have been giving LBs #s in the 90s and even 40s while holding back #57. However, Bart Scott wore the number from 2002 to 2008. There are some questions as to how much OJ has contributed, as he spent the 2000 season (won Super Bowl XXXV) as a backup, and then left the organization. Brigance has been a significant motivator to the team however, after returning in his post-playing days. I personally have a tremendous amount of respect for Brigance.

Personally, I would issue the number. Seeing as OJ isn't even in the Ring of Honor (he should be, though), I wouldn't worry about his number. Also, I don't like retiring numbers anyway, because 1, there are only so many, 2, another player will want it and 3, the Ring of Honor is enough. Please don't take that the wrong way.

Thoughts?

[Gordo52]

He should be in the ring of honor. But I think numbers should only be retired when a player of Ray Lewis or Ed Reeds caliber play their heart out for a team for their whole career.

[JO_75]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1340852016' post='1093966']
He should be in the ring of honor. But I think numbers should only be retired when a player of Ray Lewis or Ed Reeds caliber play their heart out for a team for their whole career.
[/quote]

Agreed. The only real numbers that should be retired and never used again are simply 20, 52, 75 and 3. Those 4 are the only numbers I would retire if I was the Ravens organization.

[K-Dog]

Ring yes. Number no. Retireing numbers can get out of hand real quick. Before too long you are going to have to give players decimal points and letters and stuff.
Correct me if I am wrong, but isnt Unitas,s number retired both from the Ravens and the O's?

[rmw10]

I think the only reason it isn't issued right now is because the organization is essentially saying "he's still part of the team." It will be issued again at some point in the future.

[ravens__]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1340853770' post='1093973']
Ring yes. Number no. Retireing numbers can get out of hand real quick. Before too long you are going to have to give players decimal points and letters and stuff.
[b]Correct me if I am wrong, but isnt Unitas,s number retired both from the Ravens and the O's?[/b]
[/quote]

It's not officially retired from the Ravens but nobody has worn the number since Scott Mitchell. The O's never retired #19 (officially or unofficially) and it's currently worn by 1B Chris Davis.

As for the poll question, I was never a fan of having numbers retired unless it was the number of a player directly associated with an organization like Johnny U's was for the Colts and Ray Lewis' is for the Ravens. I have the utmost respect for OJ and his name should be in the Ring of Honor but his number should not be retired.

[Purple Nurple]

Hate me if you want but the only number that should be retired at this point is 52. I would imagine retiring numbers gets tricky after a while and we are a relatively young team. You need to save them for absolute team legends like Lewis. I love reed and Ogden btw. Can someone pull numbers on other teams numbers of retired numbers?

[gabefergy]

Maybe nobody has asked for #57? I dont care either way tbh.

[Bullrush]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1340852016' post='1093966']
He should be in the ring of honor. But I think numbers should only be retired when a player of Ray Lewis or Ed Reeds caliber play their heart out for a team for their whole career.
[/quote]
I'd agree. You only retire numbers for guys that are clear Hall Of Fame players in my opinion, otherwise pretty soon there won't be any numbers left. However OJ should be honored in some way, Ring of Honor would be one.

[berad]

I don't think anyone's worn 57 since Bart Scott - and that's a sign of respect and reverence to OJ.

And isn't 75 retired? Perhaps not officially but I don't think anyone has worn it since JO.

[GrimCoconut]

The only number I would ever retire is #52. I love Reed, but Lewis is, was, and will be for a long time the face of this franchise. The idea of retiring numbers is cool from a fan perspective, but what will that mean for future players? To me you just can't retire numbers without consequence. Yeah, 20, 3, 75, & 52 would be no-brainers but is that a smart move?

Personally, I can only see 20 & 52 retired. Most likely only 52. As I said, Ray is the Rayvens. He was here from the beginning. I know so was JO, but 52 is our identity and 75 is not. As for the question of 57, it shouldn't be retired and I doubt it is.

[display name]

I'm not a fan of retiring numbers at all. The Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders, have, believe it or not, never retired a number. OJ is one awesome guy, but I think the majority of us agree that the team should give out the number and put him in the Ring. I hope somebody associated with the Ravens sees this thread.

[display name]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1340887258' post='1094021']
The only number I would ever retire is #52. I love Reed, but Lewis is, was, and will be for a long time the face of this franchise. The idea of retiring numbers is cool from a fan perspective, but what will that mean for future players? To me you just can't retire numbers without consequence. Yeah, 20, 3, 75, & 52 would be no-brainers but is that a smart move?

Personally, I can only see 20 & 52 retired. Most likely only 52. As I said, Ray is the Rayvens. He was here from the beginning. I know so was JO, but 52 is our identity and 75 is not. As for the question of 57, it shouldn't be retired [b]and I doubt it is.[/b]
[/quote]
Not officially, but the team gave LB Chavis Williams crappy #49 instead of 57. 19 isn't officially retired either, but only the Water Buffalo has ever worn it. I hate to bring it up, but when OJ passes, maybe they'll issue his number and this is just a mourning period or something.

[display name]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1340886133' post='1094016']
I don't think anyone's worn 57 since Bart Scott - and that's a sign of respect and reverence to OJ.

And isn't 75 retired? Perhaps not officially but I don't think anyone has worn it since JO.
[/quote]
Michael Oher took his old college 74. Guys like Ben Grubbs and Marshall Yanda just kept their own numbers. I know what you're saying, but there haven't really been many people around who could take the number. Again, we have no officially retired numbers.

[display name]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1340853770' post='1093973']
Ring yes. Number no. Retireing numbers can get out of hand real quick. Before too long you are going to have to give players decimal points and letters and stuff.
Correct me if I am wrong, but isnt Unitas,s number retired both from the Ravens and the O's?
[/quote]
I agree with the first statements. Just look at the Chicago Bears. They have 14 retired numbers. It must be really hard working around that!

[berad]

[quote name='display name' timestamp='1340887896' post='1094026']
Michael Oher took his old college 74. Guys like Ben Grubbs and Marshall Yanda just kept their own numbers. I know what you're saying, but there haven't really been many people around who could take the number. Again, we have no officially retired numbers.
[/quote]

JO's been out for like 5 years now and I haven't seen anyone - not even in pre-season - take up 75. The number may not be officially retired but it's sort of unwritten.

[The Raven]

I'm not a fan of retiring numbers. Maybe temporarily removing a number for use, but not retiring one altogether.

[UMDan]

Ring of Honor, absolutely. I'd say retire it out of respect for OJ, but I don't really see retiring a number as that big of a deal, but that's just me.

[RavensAllTheWay]

I thought I read somewhere that 57 [i]was[/i] retired. Should it be? No because 52 has a much stronger case for being retired, and we don't want [i]two[/i] LB numbers (50s) not being available. I guess you could always dig into the 90s, but even then, it's a little dicey.

[K-Dog]

In my opinion 52 is really the only number worth retiring ( in five more years )

[Greatness]

Put 'em in the ring. Retire the number? Nah.

And you absolutely have to retire 52, 75 and 20. That's it. 3 Hall of Famer and arguably the [b]Best[/b] at their positions.Will we get future HOF'ers and great players? Sure, I'd hope so, but those 3 guys are the very foundation of the Baltimore Ravens. Hopefully number 5 goes in as well with like 6 rings and couple MVPs! =D

[Rav'n Maniac]

I feel the Ring of Honor is accomplishment in itself. Having your name up there for all time shows that you have been recognized for your contributions to the team and city. I feel that no player should have their numbers retired until and only "If & When" they make the HOF.