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Florida football legends approve jersey numbers not being retired
Florida Gators legends Danny Wuerffel and Steve Spurrier say they have no issue with current players wearing their old jersey numbers, contrasting with LSU's Jayden Daniels dispute. The comments came during a card show in Gainesville, where the trio of Heisman winners appeared together.
Florida football does not have any jersey numbers currently retired, and that's fine with at least two of the three Heisman winners in program history. Danny Wuerffel and Steve Spurrier have no problems with current players wearing their jersey numbers, according to multiple reports.
Freshman quarterback Will Griffin currently wears Spurrier's number 11 on offense, while redshirt sophomore defensive end LJ McCray wears 11 on defense. As for Wuerffel's number 7, redshirt sophomore tight end Amir Jackson wears it on offense, and sophomore linebacker Ty Jackson wears it on defense.
"I don't care that much," Wuerffel said. "I remember some people in my orbit were a little surprised when immediately the next year Jesse Palmer was wearing 7 and I was like, 'Oh, not a big deal.' So, I understand some people when you are here, your families and your extended families kind of get excited and you kind of do own that number, but it's more like a rental. You don't own it."
Spurrier's History with Unretiring Numbers
Spurrier has personal experience with the practice. He said his number 11 was retired with former UF linebacker Scott Brantley throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s before he unretired it in 1991 to give it to former UF linebacker Ben Hanks.
"When we unretired them I called Scott and he said that's fine, I'd like to see somebody wear my jersey," Spurrier said.
Hanks, whose son Ben Hanks III is a sophomore cornerback at UF, played at UF from 1991-95, earning all SEC honors in 1994 and 1995 before a five-year pro career. Spurrier also recounted having his number 11 retired at Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tennessee before allowing another player to wear it.
Contrast with LSU
The issue of whether Heisman winners should have their jersey numbers retired took center stage earlier this month when 2023 Heisman winner and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels was upset the school chose not to retire his number 5. Daniels demanded that LSU cease to use his name, image and likeness after new LSU coach Lane Kiffin issued number 5 to sophomore cornerback D.J. Pickett for the upcoming season. Pickett said number 5 was promised to him by former LSU coach Brian Kelly during the recruiting process, but that Kelly reneged on the promise.
Card Show Gathering
Spurrier, Wuerffel, and Tim Tebow were in Gainesville on Sunday, August 23, for the inaugural Florida Legends Card Show. The event raised more than eight figures in sales, according to organizers, with proceeds benefiting the Isaiah 117 House, which aids Alachua County foster children awaiting placement.
Tebow interacted with fans for an hour at the event but declined requests to speak to reporters following his appearance. Former Florida quarterbacks Anthony Richardson and Graham Mertz have worn Tebow's number 15 this decade, and Tebow hasn't protested the school giving out the number either time.
Evan Pryor, a first-year Florida transfer running back, also attended the event. He requested and received number 21, the same number he wore as a freshman at Ohio State, and wore number 6 at Cincinnati. "Yeah, it was either 3 or 21 for me, so I wore 21 there. It was a weird situation at Cincinnati, so I just got what I could get there. But, you know, I'm back in 21. I feel like myself again," Pryor said.
Attendee Greg Schultz, a Gainesville resident, described the gathering as "An incredible trilogy of talent today."
How each outlet told it
Gainesville Sun
Framing: The headline emphasizes that Florida football legends approve of jersey numbers not being retired, highlighting their positive stance on the issue. — approving and anecdotal — supported by the headline and Wuerffel's casual quotes like "I don't care that much."
Facts Included:
Florida football does not have any jersey numbers currently retired.
Danny Wuerffel and Steve Spurrier have no problems with current players wearing their jersey numbers.
Freshman quarterback Will Griffin currently wears Spurrier's number 11 on offense, while redshirt sophomore defense end LJ McCray's wears 11 on defense.
Redshirt sophomore tight end Amir Jackson wears Wuerffel's number 7 on offense and sophomore linebacker Ty Jackson wears it on defense.
Wuerffel quote: "I don't care that much," and reference to Jesse Palmer wearing 7 the next year.
The LSU context: Jayden Daniels upset about number 5 not being retired; new coach Lane Kiffin issued number 5 to sophomore cornerback D.J. Pickett; Pickett said number 5 was promised by former coach Brian Kelly but Kelly reneged.
Spurrier said his number 11 was retired with Scott Brantley throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s before he unretired it in 1991 for Ben Hanks.
Spurrier quote: "When we unretired them I called Scott and he said that's fine, I'd like to see somebody wear my jersey."
Ben Hanks played at UF from 1991-95, earned all SEC honors in 1994 and 1995, and had a five-year pro career.
Ben Hanks III is a sophomore cornerback at UF.
Spurrier's high school number retirement story at Science Hill High School.
Evan Pryor requested and received number 21, same as his freshman year at Ohio State; wore 6 at Cincinnati; quote about feeling like himself again.
Spurrier, Wuerffel, and Tim Tebow were in Gainesville on Sunday, August 23 for the inaugural Florida Legends Card Show.
Proceeds benefitted the Isaiah 117 House, which aids Alachua County foster children.
Tebow interacted with fans for an hour but declined to speak to reporters.
Anthony Richardson and Graham Mertz have worn Tebow's number 15 this decade; Tebow hasn't protested.
The event raised more than eight-figures in sales according to organizers.
Quote from attendee Greg Schultz: "An incredible trilogy of talent today..."
Framing: The headline emphasizes that Florida football legends approve of jersey numbers not being retired, highlighting their positive stance on the issue. — approving and anecdotal — supported by the headline and Wuerffel's casual quotes like "I don't care that much."
Facts Included:
Florida football does not have any jersey numbers currently retired.
Danny Wuerffel and Steve Spurrier have no problems with current players wearing their jersey numbers.
Freshman quarterback Will Griffin currently wears Spurrier's number 11 on offense, while redshirt sophomore defense end LJ McCray's wears 11 on defense.
Redshirt sophomore tight end Amir Jackson wears Wuerffel's number 7 on offense and sophomore linebacker Ty Jackson wears it on defense.
Wuerffel quote: "I don't care that much," and reference to Jesse Palmer wearing 7 the next year.
The LSU context: Jayden Daniels upset about number 5 not being retired; new coach Lane Kiffin issued number 5 to sophomore cornerback D.J. Pickett; Pickett said number 5 was promised by former coach Brian Kelly but Kelly reneged.
Spurrier said his number 11 was retired with Scott Brantley throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s before he unretired it in 1991 for Ben Hanks.
Spurrier quote: "When we unretired them I called Scott and he said that's fine, I'd like to see somebody wear my jersey."
Ben Hanks played at UF from 1991-95, earned all SEC honors in 1994 and 1995, and had a five-year pro career.
Ben Hanks III is a sophomore cornerback at UF.
Spurrier's high school number retirement story at Science Hill High School.
Evan Pryor requested and received number 21, same as his freshman year at Ohio State; wore 6 at Cincinnati; quote about feeling like himself again.
Spurrier, Wuerffel, and Tim Tebow were in Gainesville on Sunday, August 23 for the inaugural Florida Legends Card Show.
Proceeds benefitted the Isaiah 117 House, which aids Alachua County foster children.
Tebow interacted with fans for an hour but declined to speak to reporters.
Anthony Richardson and Graham Mertz have worn Tebow's number 15 this decade; Tebow hasn't protested.
The event raised more than eight-figures in sales according to organizers.
Quote from attendee Greg Schultz: "An incredible trilogy of talent today..."
Framing: The headline emphasizes that Florida football legends approve of jersey numbers not being retired, highlighting their positive stance on the issue. — approving and anecdotal — supported by the headline and Wuerffel's casual quotes like "I don't care that much."
Facts Included:
Florida football does not have any jersey numbers currently retired.
Danny Wuerffel and Steve Spurrier have no problems with current players wearing their jersey numbers.
Freshman quarterback Will Griffin currently wears Spurrier's number 11 on offense, while redshirt sophomore defense end LJ McCray's wears 11 on defense.
Redshirt sophomore tight end Amir Jackson wears Wuerffel's number 7 on offense and sophomore linebacker Ty Jackson wears it on defense.
Wuerffel quote: "I don't care that much," and reference to Jesse Palmer wearing 7 the next year.
The LSU context: Jayden Daniels upset about number 5 not being retired; new coach Lane Kiffin issued number 5 to sophomore cornerback D.J. Pickett; Pickett said number 5 was promised by former coach Brian Kelly but Kelly reneged.
Spurrier said his number 11 was retired with Scott Brantley throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s before he unretired it in 1991 for Ben Hanks.
Spurrier quote: "When we unretired them I called Scott and he said that's fine, I'd like to see somebody wear my jersey."
Ben Hanks played at UF from 1991-95, earned all SEC honors in 1994 and 1995, and had a five-year pro career.
Ben Hanks III is a sophomore cornerback at UF.
Spurrier's high school number retirement story at Science Hill High School.
Evan Pryor requested and received number 21, same as his freshman year at Ohio State; wore 6 at Cincinnati; quote about feeling like himself again.
Spurrier, Wuerffel, and Tim Tebow were in Gainesville on Sunday, August 23 for the inaugural Florida Legends Card Show.
Proceeds benefitted the Isaiah 117 House, which aids Alachua County foster children.
Tebow interacted with fans for an hour but declined to speak to reporters.
Anthony Richardson and Graham Mertz have worn Tebow's number 15 this decade; Tebow hasn't protested.
The event raised more than eight-figures in sales according to organizers.
Quote from attendee Greg Schultz: "An incredible trilogy of talent today..."
Framing: The headline emphasizes that Florida football legends approve of jersey numbers not being retired, highlighting their positive stance on the issue. — approving and anecdotal — supported by the headline and Wuerffel's casual quotes like "I don't care that much."
Facts Included:
Florida football does not have any jersey numbers currently retired.
Danny Wuerffel and Steve Spurrier have no problems with current players wearing their jersey numbers.
Freshman quarterback Will Griffin currently wears Spurrier's number 11 on offense, while redshirt sophomore defense end LJ McCray's wears 11 on defense.
Redshirt sophomore tight end Amir Jackson wears Wuerffel's number 7 on offense and sophomore linebacker Ty Jackson wears it on defense.
Wuerffel quote: "I don't care that much," and reference to Jesse Palmer wearing 7 the next year.
The LSU context: Jayden Daniels upset about number 5 not being retired; new coach Lane Kiffin issued number 5 to sophomore cornerback D.J. Pickett; Pickett said number 5 was promised by former coach Brian Kelly but Kelly reneged.
Spurrier said his number 11 was retired with Scott Brantley throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s before he unretired it in 1991 for Ben Hanks.
Spurrier quote: "When we unretired them I called Scott and he said that's fine, I'd like to see somebody wear my jersey."
Ben Hanks played at UF from 1991-95, earned all SEC honors in 1994 and 1995, and had a five-year pro career.
Ben Hanks III is a sophomore cornerback at UF.
Spurrier's high school number retirement story at Science Hill High School.
Evan Pryor requested and received number 21, same as his freshman year at Ohio State; wore 6 at Cincinnati; quote about feeling like himself again.
Spurrier, Wuerffel, and Tim Tebow were in Gainesville on Sunday, August 23 for the inaugural Florida Legends Card Show.
Proceeds benefitted the Isaiah 117 House, which aids Alachua County foster children.
Tebow interacted with fans for an hour but declined to speak to reporters.
Anthony Richardson and Graham Mertz have worn Tebow's number 15 this decade; Tebow hasn't protested.
The event raised more than eight-figures in sales according to organizers.
Quote from attendee Greg Schultz: "An incredible trilogy of talent today..."
Each row is one claim, attributed to the outlet whose wording states it most clearly. Confidence rates how directly the source text states the claim — explicit and unhedged rates high; hedged, pieced-together, or internally inconsistent statements rate lower. It does not measure whether the claim is true. Status counts the distinct outlets we found asserting it — so a single-source claim can still show high confidence, and a multi-source claim can show medium. Every one of those outlets is named beside the status, so you can check the count against the list. For claims extracted before we began storing that list, the row says so: it names the outlet the claim is quoted from and states that we have not recorded which outlets backed it. Outlets wrote at different times, so a figure that evolves — a casualty count, for example — can legitimately differ between rows; check the "as of" time next to each claim's source.
Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimFlorida football does not have any jersey numbers currently retired.
ClaimFreshman quarterback Will Griffin currently wears Spurrier's number 11 on offense, while redshirt sophomore defensive end LJ McCray wears 11 on defense.
ClaimJayden Daniels, 2023 Heisman winner and LSU quarterback, was upset that the school chose not to retire his number 5 and demanded LSU cease using his name, image, and likeness after new LSU coach Lane Kiffin issued number 5 to sophomore cornerback D.J. Pickett for the upcoming season.
ClaimD.J. Pickett said that number 5 was promised to him by former LSU coach Brian Kelly during the recruiting process, but Kelly reneged on the promise.
ClaimSteve Spurrier said his number 11 was retired with former UF linebacker Scott Brantley throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s before he unretired it in 1991 for former UF linebacker Ben Hanks.
ClaimSteve Spurrier said he had his number 11 retired at Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tennessee before allowing another player to wear it.
ClaimEvan Pryor, first-year Florida football transfer running back, requested and received number 21, the same number he wore as a freshman at Ohio State, and wore number 6 at Cincinnati.
ClaimEvan Pryor said: "Yeah, it was either 3 or 21 for me, so I wore 21 there. It was a weird situation at Cincinnati, so I just got what I could get there. But, you know, I'm back in 21. I feel like myself again."
ClaimFormer Florida quarterbacks Anthony Richardson and Graham Mertz have worn Tim Tebow's number 15 this decade, and Tebow hasn't protested the school giving out the number either time.