Numbers

Since the retirement of #71 two weeks ago, I've been thinking about numbers.

Of course, #71 rose to the rafters to honor Canton-bound Walter Jones, the greatest player in franchise history. However, Bryan Millard also wore that number with distinction back in the '80s. The greatest offensive lineman in team history before Big Walt, Millard protected Dave Krieg and opened holes for Curt Warner. (I wrote most of the Wikipedia article on Millard. Check it out.)

Rookie left tackle Russell Okung, drafted to replace Jones, has shown real promise. I loved that Okung wears #76. He wore that number at Oklahoma State, but for Seahawks fans, #76 is good mojo because it was worn by Steve Hutchinson, another future Hall of Famer, and the second greatest offensive lineman in team history, after Big Walt. We can only hope that Okung's career will be so glorious that we will one day

Similarly, I like how Mike Williams has represented this year with Dave Krieg's #17.

Moreover, although he's just a kicker, I think the habitual clutchness of Olindo Mare pays appropriate honor to Jim Zorn's #10.