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Why It’d Be Tough To Retire No. 40

Posted Jan 24, 2008 by Aaron Knox

Updated Jan 24, 2008 at 12:19 PM

NFL’s Retired Numbers

With Mike Alstott announcing his retirement Thursday, there already is rampant speculation among fans that his number (40) will be retired by the Bucs. While that might happen down the line, there are some inherent problems:

* The Bucs have retired only one number, the 63 worn by Hall of Fame defensive end Lee Roy Selmon.

* Most teams in the NFL wait until a player reaches the Hall of Fame before retiring their numbers.

* The reason NFL teams are reluctant to retire numbers is the large number of players on a team (starting with a 53-man roster, plus injured reserve and practice squad players), and the way those numbers are distributed. For instance, running backs, tight ends, linebackers and defensive backs all are allowed to wear numbers in the 40s.

That said, it would be a nice gesture by the Bucs to make sure no one else ever wears No. 40.

But then again, if they retire Alstott’s number, shouldn’t they do the same for Derrick Brooks (55) and Ronde Barber (20) when they retire?