Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor, September 7, 2013
Ever see a quarterback wear No. 98? No, of course, you haven't. Until now, that is. Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner rocked the number typically reserved for defensive lineman vs. Notre Dame on Saturday night, and he will do so for the rest of his career. Gardner, who used to wear No. 12, will wear No. 98 to honor Tom Harmon, Michigan's first Heisman Trophy winner.
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Michigan honors its legends by having select current players wear their numbers, in addition to a Michigan Football Legend patch over the left upper chest. It's not a new practice, as Desmond Howard's No. 21 has been worn by a few receivers, including Jeremy Gallon this season.
But a quarterback donning No. 98 takes some getting used to. Don't believe me? Check out some of these tweets.
https://twitter.com/DanWetzel/status/376503563100250112
Why do I keep seeing Dennis Rodman when I look at Devin Gardner in that 98 jersey?
— Matt Hayes (@MattHayesCFB) September 8, 2013
Also, they smoked on the field RT @PaulMyerberg: 1940: When men were men, and quarterbacks wore No. 98.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) September 8, 2013
@CatoJune man what is #gardner doing wit that #98 on?!?!?! #hotmess #Michigan #NotreDame
— Rosevelt Colvin (@rcolvin3) September 8, 2013
Very cool. RT @jonmorosi: Devin Gardner wears No. 98 in honor of Tom Harmon.
— Tom Hart (@tom_hart) September 8, 2013
Is this not the first time ever you've seen a QB wear #98
— FABIAN WASHINGTON (@FABEWASH31) September 8, 2013
Pretty bold, too RT @steaker: Devin Gardner wearing #98 for Tom Harmon is ridiculously cool. For the record
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 8, 2013
So, Devin Gardner is going to wear 98 going forward? That's def worth a @UniWatch blog entry. #Michigan
— Robert Flores (@RoFlo) September 8, 2013
https://twitter.com/AceAnbender/status/376496462420402176
Pretty sure Michigan will have the only No. 98 at QB in the country. Devin Gardner will wear it. Wonder if the extra numbers slow him down?
— Bob Wojnowski (@bobwojnowski) September 8, 2013
About Brent Yarina | BTN.com senior editor Brent Yarina covers football and men's basketball for BTN.com. He writes the popular uniform feature "Clothes Call," which also focuses on the latest cosmetic changes across Big Ten arenas and stadiums. Read all of his work here. You can subscribe to Yarina's RSS feed and follow him on Twitter @BTNBrentYarina. |