So what's the deal with the retired numbers?

[Wheelman]

Unless the NYJFL* allows 3 digit jerseys I don't think teams should retire numbers except in special circumstances. Like Tom Brady's number should be retired.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Just FYI, Tippett's number IS retired. When was the last time we saw #56 on the Pats?

Beat me to this. Even if #56 isn't officially retired, I cannot remember anyone wearing it since Andre.

Regards,
Chris

 

[Biffins]

My bad, I was looking at something else.

Regardless, the point stands. Although there are what appear to be hypocrisies in regards to which numbers are (and are not) retired, I fail to see this as being a critical issue. Unretiring a number would be a far more questionable decision than 'why is X retired but Y is not'.

There are still plenty of uniform numbers available to field a 53-man roster, and the Hall in Foxboro is available to honor any and all worthy Patriot players going forward.

I didn't say it was a critical issue. I was just wondering if there was some rhyme or reason to the inconsistency and it seems the standard has shifted over the years, that's all.