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The issue of numbers of retirees who are not really retired has re-emerged this week, when the Cardinals canceled Marshall Goldberg’s No. 99 for JJ Watt. Another situation with retired numbers becoming non-retired could happen in Chicago, if the Bears manage to negotiate with Seahawks quarterback Russel Wilson.
Wilson wore No. 3 for nine seasons in the NFL in Seattle. The Bears withdrew from No. 3 to Bronko Nagurski. So, would the Bears find a way to bring No. 3 back to Wilson?
The Bears retired 14 numbers and announced, when retiring Mike Ditka’s 89, that no other numbers would be retired. As explained by Jack Silverstein of WindyCityGridiron.com in 2018, Bears President George McCaskey said this in 2013 about the possibility of undefined numbers: “We discussed a wide range of options. The non-retired numbers were thrown there and thrown away because I said that if we are going to cancel the retirement of the numbers, we will have to start with the number 7. ”
The team’s founder, George Halas, wore No. 7. Which gives the Bears the unique combination of family members who can give their blessing at canceling the retirement of a number and the franchise that has the absolute power to issue, retire and / or cancel numbers retirement. Therefore, if the Bears put the number 7 back into circulation, other numbers could also be brought back.
Wilson may not even want No. 3. In North Carolina and Wisconsin, he wore No. 16. Currently, Bears bettor Pat O’Donnell has No. 16.
Regardless, don’t start ordering custom Bears # 3 T-shirts with “WILSON” on your back just yet. In addition to the fact that trade is still uncertain, Wilson may end up in a new number when putting on a new uniform.