The University of Michigan Athletic Department announced today (Wednesday, July 28) plans to take the jerseys associated with the Michigan Football Legends back off the field. Gerald Ford (#48), Tom Harmon (#98), Desmond Howard (#21), Ron Kramer (#87), Bennie Oosterbaan (#47) and the Wistert brothers (#11) -- Albert, Alvin and Whitey -- will have their jerseys retired in a ceremony against Ohio State on Nov. 28.
This means that Desmond Howard's jersey, previously available, will now be consigned to history. I liked the legends jersey concept, if not the execution, for both practical and sentimental reasons.
There are a lot of players, and they need a lot of numbers, and having them on the field was a reminder of Michigan's history. It didn't work out the way we hoped, but having 98 on QB was cool and distinctly Michigan.
The patches were too prominent and the frequent number switches annoying; I still liked the idea of having 98 and 47 and etc out there. Not having 21 is kind of sad, isn't it?