Sports Columnists

By Paul

May 24, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

Good call, Terrence. I agree. Apparently Bush, knowing that McKay is on the committee, has circled Sept. 25 on his calendar (that’s when the Falcons and the Aints tee it up. And yes, the Aints will still be the AINTS with or without Bush).

By Dustin

May 24, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this

It still bugs me to see receivers wearing numbers in the teens, please give Michael Jenkins an 80s number! Only receivers that make the final roster should have an 80 number, so what was the big deal of them wearing number 10 in the preseason when they weren’t even guaranteed a roster spot?

By Dustin

May 24, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this

I meant to finish the last spot by saying that since it was only preseason and they were wearing jersey #10, they could swap to number 80-something during the regular season? Of course, there will come a day when some wide receiver #80-something will have his number retired by the team and they will have to start with new numbers.

By matt

May 24, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this

I think they should have let bush wear the # 5.

New orleans is a city that needs every bit of help it can get, and i feel that the # 5 jersey is just something that would help it out more then anyone can imagine. Most people are going to see a jersey with 25 and say who is that? With the # 5 it would have been obvious and easy to figure out and there is no question it would have increased sales of that jersey, which would have been donated to the katrina relief fund according to Reggie and His Agent. I know that if the NFL were to do this they would have had to do that for everyone, but i just think with this case it shoudl have been a bit more of an option.

By bibbs

May 24, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this

Wasn’t Paul Hourning #5? Harmon Wages? Did that ruin the league? I could really care less, but it’s not like it hasn’t been done before.

By Matt

May 24, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this

Who does this guy think he is? The NFL just refused another running back a year or two ago, wasn’t that EJames or somebody. He was even offering to give a percentage of his take on jersey sales to Katrina relief if he got that number. I wonder if he will still give a percentage to Katrina relief. And if he doesn’t, what does that show. Hmmmm. I personally think Bush is over-hyped. He might prove me wrong, but he got alot of credit while he had LenDale, who always rushed for 1,000 plus yards every year and a quarterback that people had to watch b/c he can throw. We will see how good he is without a superstar cast.

By Matt

May 24, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

They put the rule into effect in the 70’s to make it easier for the officials to know if a player was out of position. That is why a lineman has to report to an official as a reciever if he is going to be one.

By Chris

May 24, 2006 01:05 PM | Link to this

Another point at how ridiculous some of the NFL rules are. Don’t get me wrong, I love the NFL, but come on now… its a number. Is there even a need for this any more? I guess NFL officials need more help knowing who is where than those college and high school officials huh?

By ctom

May 24, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this

Let him wear #5, and so what if circled Sept25 on his calendar, by the time we get threw with him his jersey may read #15. He’s good but this is the pros not the pac-10.

By Pantherssuck

May 24, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this

Since when did Reggie Bush become the high and mighty? Just because he’s hyped as the next Gayle Sayers doesn’t mean the NFL should bend the rules just for him! Man oh man, so now if he doesn’t get his precious #5 jersey he won’t be able to perform his hyped-career at its fullest? Give me a break! Hey Reggie, perform on the field, put up 10 seasons of 1,500-2,000 rushing yards first and then people will take notice!

By JaiLynn

May 24, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this

It’s a number…get over it. Wearing #5 had NOTHING to do with his success. So wearing a number within the 20-49 range will have NOTHING to do with his ability to run with a ball!

By JaiLynn

May 24, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this

It’s a number…get over it. Wearing #5 had NOTHING to do with his success. So wearing a number within the 20-49 range will have NOTHING to do with his ability to run with a ball!

By 17TH

May 24, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this

Totally agree. Who does Reggie think he is??? I hasn’t played a single down and is already nursing injuries. Please…. Just play the game.

By Paul

May 24, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this

Matt (from first post), do you really think if Bush wears 25 then people won’t know who he is?

By Connie Lingous

May 24, 2006 02:29 PM | Link to this

Whatever; the kid can play, and it never hurts to ask. So he’ll wear 25, I don’t blame him for asking.

By AR

May 24, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this

Now you know why Houston did not pick Reggie, he come in asking for so much. Look at the incident with this parents, the guy had $250,000 ear rings in his ear as a sophmore. He is trouble, I think he is a nice guy in front of cameras but a total monster off camera, NOW PUT THAT #25 jersey number on!!!!

By bushwacker

May 24, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this

A rookie who has never played a down in the NFL talking about jersey sales is the kind of mentality that will turn the NFL into another NBA, overpaid jerks who don’t care about winning.

By gdg73

May 24, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

AR, you act as if you know Bush personally. By the way, did you have his earrings appraised? The media is making a big deal out of this because it is Reggie Bush. Players put in requests for number changes every year and are routinely denied. Big deal. I read somewhere that the guy is still going to donate proceeds from his jersey sales, whatever the number. Some of you guys with these blogs are in “preseason form”. I’ll save my dislike for opposing players for the regular season

By frellington

May 24, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this

I’ll bet a lot of readers played sports and fell in love with their numbers. I’ll bet Mike Vick would have petitioned for #7 if a rule disallowed QBs to wear single digits coming out of VTech. I’ll bet that petition would have been signed by the entire city of Atlanta! Reggie Bush has, in a few weeks, saved a school for autistic children, pledged what figures to be six digits of revenue from jersey sales to help rebuild a neglected, devastated city (does that type of jersey sale talk qualify him as a “jerk?”), and taken immediately the weight of a community on his shoulders. Pretty good for a “hotshot rookie.”

Terrence, if you feel like vilifying someone with the precious space you have - I think you can find someone more deserving than Reggie Bush. I bet the kids at Holy Rosary High School will agree…http://www.arch-no.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=457

By frellington

May 24, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

Oops, make that Terence - with one r. My apologies…

By Matthew

May 24, 2006 04:12 PM | Link to this

Hey Frellington,

Dud you need to get over yourself. First, if you want to argue a point, please do not invoke that “if it had been Mike Vick” nonsense. “What if” arguements are not respected on this blog.

And so you feel that Bush should be given an exception because he’s done a few good deeds? I don’t see the connection between doing that and having the league bend the rules on his behalf.

I don’t blame Bush for simply “asking” but but I have a real problem with how he is using Katrina victims as the basis for his request. That is garbage.

Reggie Bush is a clown and is primed to be the next Ki-Jana Carter. Ask the kids at Holy Rosary if they know who Ki-Jana Carter is.

By Michael

May 24, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this

I’d agree with you, except that the NFL has apparently made plenty of exceptions in the past. Keyshawn Johnson and Deion Sanders immediately jump to mind.

By Michael

May 24, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this

I’d agree with you, except that the NFL has apparently made plenty of exceptions in the past. Keyshawn Johnson and Deion Sanders immediately jump to mind.

By Ryder

May 24, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this

Frellington you’re right. It’s only a number, it doesn’t make him out to be a jerk or a hotshot rookie. That number obviously means a lot to him and I understand the NFL rules, I just think it’s ridiculous to keep piling onto this kid.

By Matthew

May 24, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this

Hmm,

Deion wore #21, right? So exactly what rule was bent in his case? I recall him wanting to wear #2 but it was not allowed.

In Keyshawn’s case, all of the numbers between 80-89 were taken when he was a rookie, so the league let him wear #19. They would not have let him do so if a number was available. However, once he got #19, he was not forced to switch back to an 80’s number. But that all started as a case of number availability.

By Larry D

May 24, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

Ryder,

Awwwww, boo-hoo, his little jersey number means so much to him. Does he need his little blankey too?

We pile on him because we’re biased. He plays for a division rival. But more to the point, he has NO skins on the wall…NONE. So until proven veterans can change their numbers, I don’t want to hear sh-t about Reggie Bush and #5.

By the way, Michael, how in the hell does Deion “immediately” come to mind with respect to the league making an exception for a jersey number? He made #21 famous for the DB position. He had a club in ATL called Prime-Time 21. What part of 21 don’t you understand?

By Brandon

May 24, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this

The jersey numbers rule is a little much. It wouldn’t have bothered me to see him wear #5, i wanted him to. Then for everyone that said he is just a hotshot rookie, one guy said “a guy that has never played a down, and is nursing injuries”, he is better than any running back on the falcons roster.

By Brandon

May 24, 2006 04:52 PM | Link to this

One more thing, he ought to wear number 20, because he may be the best running back since Barry Sanders to come to the NFL. I’m a Emmitt fan (he went to Florida, then to Dallas, two of my fav. teams), but if Barry had played a couple more years, the rushing record would have been out of reach for a long time.

By L.J.

May 24, 2006 05:10 PM | Link to this

Barry sanders could have played 20 more years, and he still wouldnt have Emmitt’s rings, though.

By DbleD23

May 24, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this

You people are pitiful. This is another thing that shows you can’t think for yourselves. The freelance players, QBs, RBs, WRS, CBs, and Safety’s should wear whatever number that they want to. Highschool and college officials can tell the difference between the players despite the numbers, why can’t the ‘professionals’?

People, you can’t always be brainwashed by these stupid rules in the world….

By frellington

May 24, 2006 05:37 PM | Link to this

You’re right, the kids at Holy Rosary probably do know who Ki-Jana is because they are severely learning disabled kids not too many people care about.

Of course Bush wanting 5 isn’t not an act of altruism. The kid wants his number, and he asked permission. He did not receive it and will move on wearing another number. Without making a fuss. How does that make him some sort of punk who is going to ruin the NFL? He will still donate money to Katrina victims based on jersey sales. Does that make him an overpaid jerk? And, yes, he would have sold more as #5 - meaning more money would go to Katrina victims - but that is hardly his basis. In fact, I’ve heard him say very little about this in the press. He has not to my knowledge made some public decree that the NFL should give him his way. Columnists and bloggers have made a much bigger deal than he has of the matter.

I understand some fans needing to ride him and pass judgement because he is on a rival team. But I think a journalist calling him out in a major newspaper as if Bush has had some hissy fit about this is unjust, and borderline irresponsible. Every day seemingly another NFL player is arrested for assault, weapons charges, and domestic abuse. If Mr. Moore wants to talk trash - start with the actual trash.

By larry w.

May 24, 2006 05:37 PM | Link to this

This is one of the most irrelevant topics of discussion that I have ever seen in a blog.

By Matthew

May 24, 2006 05:52 PM | Link to this

Frellington,

this is just a blog. this artilce won’t be in print. the article is more about t. moore agreeing with the league’s decision than bush-bashing.

By Mart

May 25, 2006 08:21 AM | Link to this

The rule has no logic, but the NFL can’t make an exception for a single player. (Otherwise, I agree with larry w.)

By chris

May 25, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this

But, Terence, Reggie is black. You didn’t want him to win his battle against Whitey (aka Paul Tagliabue)?

By "D" in Houston

May 25, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this

Uh…..people, I think he made a “request”. People are allowed to make “requests” aren’t they? All he did was try, and was told “No”. I doubt the kid is crushed…..and anybody who wants to start calling him over rated didn’t watch alot of college football last year. If he was joining our backfield, we’d be creamin all over ourselves as we speak(or type)….whatever. Since he is on the other side of the hash mark…..I can’t wait to see him get shut down Sept 25!!! Go Birds!

By Tim

May 25, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this

Terrence,

Even in a piece about the NFL you have to show your contempt for GA TECH. The comment “The thing is, stranger things have happened in sports (designated hitters, Dennis Rodman, the expansion of frequently barren Bobby Dodd Stadium).” was a low blow to a school where a significant amount of your readers attended. Another indication of this sports department’s irreverance to the City’s major college sports program. Grow up!!! Direct your hatred somewhere else.

As for the NFL (no fun league) not giving Bush the #5, it’s another instance of the corporate elite (white) using a power play over the players and the City of New Orleans (black). Terrence, how did you of all people miss this race issue?

By Michael

May 25, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this

Deion wore 30-something with the Ravens (I don’t recall the exact number). And why they made the exception is irrelevant. They still made exceptions for Deion and Keyshawn. They could have chosen to do the same for Bush, but they decided not to. No big deal, but the whole numberings system is silly. Let them wear whatever number they want.

By wayne

May 25, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this

Man I really feel silly reading all of the messages about this numbering system in the NFL…people this is just a number thats going to be placed on the jersey of a person so we can identify him from the stands. I feel ashamed that I even care that much. I think there’s other things we can be doing… Like its lunch time… go outside take a walk and smell the flowers… who really cares!!!!

By wayne

May 25, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

Man I really feel silly reading all of the messages about this numbering system in the NFL…people this is just a number thats going to be placed on the jersey of a person so we can identify him from the stands. I feel ashamed that I even care that much. I think there’s other things we can be doing… Like its lunch time… go outside take a walk and smell the flowers… who really cares!!!!

By Matthew

May 25, 2006 02:19 PM | Link to this

There are two complete fools on this blog. Up first — Michael — come on down!

Deion wore 21 his entire career until he un-retired to play for Baltimore. The #21 was taken by Chris McAllister, so Deion chose 37. Defensive backs can wear numbers from 20-49 just like RBs. And the deal with Keyshawn was already frickin explained to you, yet you come back saying the league made an exception…yes, BUT IT WAS BECAUSE THERE WERE NO NUMBERS IN THE 80’S AVAILABLE FOR KEYSHAWN HIS ROOKIE YEAR. Do the damn research if you don’t believe me.

Next contestant for fool — Tim — come on down!!!

Your allegation that this was a racial issue makes me wish I could cyber-slap you! How dumb can you be? And what does #5 have to do with the people of New Orleans? Didn’t the league donate money to Katrina victims LAST YEAR? You are a damned fool….brotha!

By titothebear

May 25, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this

Hey “D” in houston,

you can cream on me anytime

word to your mammy

By Larry D

May 25, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this

Michael is an idiot. This is no longer about Bush and New Orleans. It’s about common sense. You say it’s irrelevant the circumstances in Keyshawn’s case. Are you serious??

OK, what alternatives did Keyshawn/the Jets have? Cut a player so keyshawn could get a number in the 80’s? Make him change positions so he could wear another number? What??????

In Bush’s case, there are no circumstances other than the request. There are numbers available for RBs on his team, so the fact you argue the Keyshawn issue is absurd. You’re pretty dumb.

By Pantherssuck

May 25, 2006 05:42 PM | Link to this

titsonaboarhog,

keep your sick comments to yourself, you racist pr#&k.