List of National Football League retired numbers

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

Since NFL teams began retiring numbers, 155 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. Only one player, Reggie White, has had his number retired by two teams, although Peyton Manning received an acknowledgment when the Denver Broncos re-retired the number 18, which is officially retired under the name of Frank Tripucka (who granted Manning a special exception to wear the number).[1] Three teams –the Las Vegas Raiders,[2] the Atlanta Falcons,[3][4] and the Dallas Cowboys[5]– traditionally do not retire jersey numbers. Also without a retired jersey number are the Baltimore Ravens, the Houston Texans, and the Jacksonville Jaguars, though they are all less than 30 years old. The Texans, who are the newest member of the league, did not make its first playoff appearance until 2011, and have not yet built up a history long enough to warrant retiring a number.

The Buffalo Bills under Ralph Wilson also did not, with the exception of Jim Kelly, officially retire jersey numbers; this policy was reversed under Wilson's successor Terry Pegula.[6]

Unlike Major League Baseball (which retired Jackie Robinson's number 42) and the National Hockey League (which did so for Wayne Gretzky's 99), the NFL has never retired a jersey number league-wide in honor of anyone. Numbers 0 and 00 are no longer allowed, but were not retired in honor of any particular player, since the NFL's positional numbering system, imposed in 1973, does not allocate a position for players wearing those numbers (the NFL allowed those numbers in the past; Johnny Olszewski, Obert Logan, Jim Otto, and Ken Burrough all wore 0 or 00). The numbers can be, and rarely are, used in the preseason when no other numbers for a player's position are available.[7]

Retired numbers
Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Jim Kelly, the first player to have his jersey number (12) officially retired by the Buffalo Bills, is seen here in 2010
Otto Graham, whose number 14 was retired by the Browns, at his new job, as the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Athletic Director in 1959
Lenny Moore, whose number 24 was retired by the Colts, poses for a picture at Baltimore in 2011
Junior Seau, whose number 55 was retired by the Chargers, in 2008 playing a game with the New England Patriots
Phil Simms, whose number 11 was retired by the Giants, signing autographs at Rams Park in 2003
Gale Sayers, whose number 40 was retired by the Bears, giving a keynote speech at an awards ceremony in 2008 for the U.S. Army High School Football Player of the Year award
Mike Ditka, whose number 89 was retired by the Bears in a Monday night game against the Dallas Cowboys
Fran Tarkenton, whose number 10 was retired by the Vikings, after giving a speech at Atlanta in 2010
Warren Sapp (left), whose number 99 was retired by the Buccaneers, visits members of the US Navy in 2003
Player No. Team Years with team Year retired Refs[8]
Larry Wilson8Arizona Cardinals1960–721970
Pat Tillman401998–20012004[9]
Stan Mauldin771946–48
J. V. Cain881974–781979
Marshall Goldberg*991939–43, 1946–48
Jim Kelly12Buffalo Bills1986–962001 [10]
Thurman Thomas341988–992018 [11]
Bruce Smith781985–992016 [12]
Sam Mills51Carolina Panthers1995–972005
Bronko Nagurski3Chicago Bears1930–37, 1943
George McAfee51940–41, 1945–501955
George Halas71920–28
Willie Galimore281957–63
Walter Payton341975–87
Gale Sayers401965–711994
Brian Piccolo411965–69
Sid Luckman421939–50
Dick Butkus511965–731994
Bill Hewitt561932–36
Bill George611952–65
Bulldog Turner661940–52
Red Grange771925–34
Mike Ditka891961–662013 [13]
Bob Johnson54Cincinnati Bengals1968–791978
Otto Graham14Cleveland Browns1946–55
Jim Brown321957–65
Ernie Davis4519621963 [14]
Don Fleming461960–62
Lou Groza761946–59, 1961–671968[15][16]
John Elway7Denver Broncos1983–981999 [17][18]
Frank Tripucka* 181960–63 1963 [19][18]
Floyd Little441967–751984 [18]
Dutch Clark7Detroit Lions1931–32, 1934–381939 [20][21][22]
Lem Barney201967–772004 [23]
Billy Sims201980–842004 [23]
Barry Sanders201989–982004 [23]
Bobby Layne221950–58
Doak Walker371950–551955 [20][24][25]
Joe Schmidt561953–65
Chuck Hughes851970–71
Tony Canadeo3Green Bay Packers1941–521952
Brett Favre41992–20072015
Don Hutson141935–451951
Bart Starr151956–711973
Ray Nitschke661958–721983
Reggie White921993–982005 [26]
Peyton Manning18Indianapolis Colts1998–20112017 [27]
Johnny Unitas191956–72 [28]
Buddy Young221953–55 [28]
Lenny Moore241956–671968 [28]
Art Donovan701953–611962 [28]
Jim Parker771957–67 [28]
Raymond Berry821955–67 [28]
Gino Marchetti891953–66 [28]
Jan Stenerud3Kansas City Chiefs1967–791992
Len Dawson161962–75
Emmitt Thomas181966–782008 [29]
Abner Haynes281960–74
Stone Johnson3319631963 [30]
Mack Lee Hill361964–65
Derrick Thomas581989–992009 [31]
Willie Lanier631967–771992
Bobby Bell781963–741984
Buck Buchanan861963–751992
Dan Fouts14Los Angeles Chargers1973–871988[32][33][34]
Lance Alworth191962–702005 [34][35]
LaDainian Tomlinson212001–092015 [34][36]
Junior Seau551990–022012 [34][37]
Bob Waterfield7Los Angeles Rams1945–521952
Marshall Faulk281999–20062007 [38]
Eric Dickerson291983–87
Merlin Olsen741962–76
Deacon Jones751961–712009 [39]
Jackie Slater781976–951996
Isaac Bruce801994–20072010 [40]
Jack Youngblood851971–84
Bob Griese12Miami Dolphins1967–801985
Dan Marino131983–992000
Larry Csonka391968–74, 19792002
Fran Tarkenton10Minnesota Vikings1961–66, 1972–781979
Mick Tingelhoff531962–782001
Jim Marshall701961–791999
Korey Stringer771995–20002001
Cris Carter801990–20012003
Alan Page881967–781988
Gino Cappelletti20New England Patriots1960–70 [41]
Mike Haynes401976–82 [42]
Steve Nelson571974–871988 [42]
John Hannah731973–85 [42]
Bruce Armstrong781987–20002000 [42]
Jim Lee Hunt791960–70 [42]
Bob Dee891960–67 [42]
Jim Taylor31New Orleans Saints1967
Doug Atkins811967–691969
Ray Flaherty1New York Giants1928–351935
Tuffy Leemans41936–431940
Mel Hein71931–451963
Eli Manning102004–192021 [43]
Phil Simms111979–931995
Ward Cuff141937–451946 [44]
Y. A. Tittle141961–641965
Frank Gifford161952–642000
Al Blozis321942–441945
Joe Morrison401959–721973
Charlie Conerly421948–611962
Ken Strong501936–471968
Lawrence Taylor561981–931994
Michael Strahan921993–20072021 [45]
Joe Namath12New York Jets1965–761985
Don Maynard131963–72
Curtis Martin281998–20052012 [46]
Joe Kłecko731977–872004
Dennis Byrd901989–922012 [47][48]
Donovan McNabb5Philadelphia Eagles1999–20092013 [49]
Steve Van Buren151944–511951 [50]
Brian Dawkins201996–20082012 [51]
Tom Brookshier401953–611962 [50]
Pete Retzlaff441956–661965 [50]
Chuck Bednarik601949–62
Al Wistert701944–511952 [50]
Reggie White921985–922005 [50][52]
Jerome Brown991987–911992 [50][53]
Ernie Stautner70Pittsburgh Steelers1950–631964
Joe Greene751969–812014 [54]
Steve Young8San Francisco 49ers1987–992008 [55]
John Brodie*121957–73 [56]
Joe Montana161979–921997
Joe Perry341948–601971
Jimmy Johnson371961–761977
Hugh McElhenny391952–60
Ronnie Lott421981–902003 [57]
Charlie Krueger701959–731974
Leo Nomellini731950–631971
Bob St. Clair791953–632001
Jerry Rice801985–20002010 [58]
Dwight Clark871979–871988
Kenny Easley45Seattle Seahawks1981–872017
Walter Jones711997–20092010
Steve Largent*801976–891992 [59][60]
Cortez Kennedy961990–20002012 [61][62]
Fans (12th man)12N/A1984
Derrick Brooks55Tampa Bay Buccaneers1995–20082014 [63]
Lee Roy Selmon631976–841986
Warren Sapp991995–20032013 [64]
Warren Moon1Tennessee Titans1984–932006 [65][66]
Steve McNair91995–20052019 [67]
Eddie George271996–20032019 [67]
Earl Campbell341978–841987
Jim Norton431960–682019
Mike Munchak631982–931996
Elvin Bethea651968–831983
Bruce Matthews741983–20012002
Sean Taylor21Washington Commanders2004–20072021
Sammy Baugh331937–52 [68]
Bobby Mitchell491962–682020 [68]

Key:

*- Player listed as honorable mention and was allowed to wear number after original retirement

See also

References
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  2. "4 legendary jersey numbers the Raiders should retire". Raiders Wire. June 13, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  3. "Atlanta Falcons Ring Of Honor". Atlanta.
  4. "The Raiders don't retire numbers, but we'd honor these 7 in team's last Oakland season". Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  5. "Jaylon Smith, Donovan Wilson Switch Numbers". www.dallascowboys.com. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  6. "Bills to retire Hall of Famer Smith's No. 78 jersey". ESPN.com. May 11, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  7. "The 00 Fad: It's Much Ado About Nothing". The Chicago Tribune. May 27, 1990.
  8. "NFL Retired Player Numbers". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  9. "Pat Tillman". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  10. The Times newspaper 2001-12-19, scanned and uploaded to Google News, retrieved December 6, 2011
  11. Bills to retire Thurman Thomas' number 34 during Monday's game. Rochester First (October 29, 2018). Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  12. Bills’ Bruce Smith to have jersey number retired at 2016 home opener. WIVB-TV (May 10, 2016). Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  13. "Chicago icon Ditka gets Bears jersey retired". ESPN.com. December 10, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  14. Davis was a member of the 1962 Browns team but due to a bout of cancer that at the time was in remission, coach Paul Brown refused to play him. The cancer returned later in 1962, eventually killing Davis in the 1963 offseason. Ernie Davis biography
  15. "Lou "The Toe" Groza". Lou Groza Charity Golf Event. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  16. "Lou Groza". American Football Kicking Hall of Fame. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  17. 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.
  18. "Broncos to display three retired jersey numbers at stadium". The Denver Post. September 17, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
    • Peyton Manning received permission from Tripucka to wear No. 18 during his time with the Broncos.
  20. "Detroit Lions Team Facts". ProFootballHOF.com. NFL Enterprises. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  21. 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.
  22. "Cleveland Rams at Detroit Lions - October 15th, 1939". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  23. 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.
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
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  27. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 20, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  28. Played for the Colts while the franchise was at Baltimore.
  29. "HugeDomains.com – KcChiefsFootball.com is for sale (Kc Chiefs Football)". www.hugedomains.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  30. Johnson died from injuries sustained in the 1963 preseason, his rookie campaign. Stone Johnson died 50 years ago from injury in NFL game
  31. "Chiefs retire Thomas' No. 58 at half" - ESPN, December 6, 2009
  32. 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.
  33. 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.
  34. Played for the Chargers while the franchise was at San Diego.
  35. "On a banner day for Alworth, Chargers retire jersey No. 19", The San Diego Union Tribune, November 21, 2005
  36. "Chargers To Retire LaDainian Tomlinson's Number". Archived from the original on March 31, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  37. ESPN, May 11, 2012
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  55. "49ers to retire Young's #8", TSN website, September 25, 2008
  56. Trent Dilfer received permission from Brodie, a personal friend, to wear #12 during his time with the 49ers."Dilfer to wear longtime hero Brodie's No. 12", ESPN, July 28, 2006
  57. "49ers to retire Lott's jersey" - SF Gate.com, November 6, 2003
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