Which brings up an interesting point. Bruschi didn't want his number retired (not that it was offered, but I remember him dismissing that talk when High started wearing it), and I suspect Brady will feel the same way. So if the Pats honor that wish and don't retire #12 after TFB is done, can they really ever retire any number?
The Pats have retired seven numbers: Cappalletti (20), Haynes (40), Nelson (57), Hannah (73), Armstrong (78), Hunt (79), Dee (89). So, yeah, it's hard to imagine that eventually #4, Brewski, Rodney and a few others from this era shouldn't be retired as well...along with #12, of course (where's Andre Tippett on that list, BTW?).
The Cowboys have never retired any player's numbers, maybe because they would have had to retire half the Roster back in the days of Staubach and Aikman and would be putting triple digits on players' backs by now. And a lot of Cowboy numbers have passed from one great to another: #88 (Pearson, Irvin, Dez Bryant) or #22 (Bob Hayes, Emmitt Smith). But I don't think anyone will be wearing #8 (Staubach) or #12 (Aikman) for a long time. What's wrong with doing it that way?
If I step back, as much as I hate to credit anything to the Cowboys organization, I kind of think they have it right. If you have a great franchise, why not pass numbers from a great player to another player? If you really believe in "Do your job," then the number comes with the job. It's up to you to make of it what you will. Maybe wait a few years (in the case of Staubach, it's been almost 40 years and a quarter of a century for Aikman), but let another player try to step into the shoes of greatness.
And, seriously, does Brady's number really have to be retired to remind us of his greatness? I think that's what Canton or the Patriots Hall of Fame are for.
