Strange: New idea needed for retired numbers

Two years have passed since the University of Tennessee announced it would retire the numbers of football stars Peyton Manning, Reggie White and Doug Atkins.

Observers noted at the time that the criteria UT established for the process virtually eliminated all future candidates, or at least any who have made their final run through the “T” thus far.

Well, you don’t want to go around retiring numbers every other week, but there are some of us who felt Tennessee’s criteria missed the mark.

The troubling part was requiring certain accomplishments in pro football on top of a checklist of collegiate honors.

To review, only three candidates — Johnny Majors, George Cafego and Beattie Feathers — meet UT’s collegiate criteria. None comes close on the pro list.

To get your number retired at UT, never mind what you did in Neyland Stadium, you also have to meet three of the following criteria: elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame; NFL offensive or defensive player of the year; make five Pro Bowls; hold a major season or career statistical record.

There is a clause that election to both the collegiate and pro halls of fame would merit “strong consideration.’’ That, in fact, was Atkins’ qualifier. While there are 21 ex-Vols in the college hall of fame, none are likely to be enshrined alongside Atkins and White in Canton, Ohio.

Some of us wonder what NFL exploits — or lack thereof — have to do with whether you should be honored by the old alma mater.

This issue came to mind recently when Florida tweaked the criteria for its Ring of Honor in order to correct a perceived slight.

In case you missed it, Florida altered its requirements so that defensive end Wilber Marshall would qualify for the Ring of Honor along with initial honorees Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel, Jack Youngblood and Emmitt Smith.

It was widely considered the right thing to do in the Gator Nation and the school did it.

Tennessee, in case you’re wondering, has not revisited its number-retirement policy (as some hoped it might).

Men’s athletic director Mike Hamilton said this week there has been no discussion of tinkering with its criteria.

“We’re sort of set with retired numbers,’’ Hamilton said.

In football, that is. In the past school year, UT retired its first men’s basketball number — Bernard King’s 53 — and its first baseball number — Todd Helton’s 3. (There are five Lady Vol basketball numbers retired).

Although no announcement has been made, look for Ernie Grunfeld’s No. 22 to go in the rafters at Thompson-Boling Arena this winter.

To pick a bone here, let’s note that UT’s basketball criteria isn’t weighted toward a pro career. You could get your number retired without ever reporting to the scorer’s table in an NBA game.

“Football success at Tennessee has been so broad and deep,’’ said Hamilton, “the requirements were probably more extensive as a result.

“We took into consideration Tennessee’s (basketball) history when we wrote the policy.’’

Bottom line, expect other retired numbers in men’s basketball or baseball, but not for Johnny Majors or anybody else in football.

However, something else might be on the way, and that’s good news.

UT is looking at an as-yet-undetermined new way of honoring its heroes. Something short of retired numbers, but something more than an introduction before the start of an event.

“Whether it be an ‘honored jersey’ or some other type thing, we have toyed around with what is the next available way to honor folks,’’ Hamilton said.

Give Hamilton credit. I may not agree with his number-retirement policy for football, but reaching out to UT’s former athletes has been a hallmark of his administration.

Whether it be reunions, introductions or a swank new lettermens’ area at Neyland Stadium, Hamilton has made the old Vols feel connected.

So here’s a free suggestion for that new way of honoring UT’s heroes. Look no farther than your alma mater, Clemson.

Clemson (Hamilton is Class of ‘85) has a Ring of Honor, one that embraces all sports. There are 11 members, plus the 1981 national champion football team.

Furthermore, Clemson’s criteria states that “athletic accomplishments after their Clemson careers are not a primary consideration.’’ Perfect.

Florida has a football Ring of Honor. Miami instituted a football Ring of Honor in 1997, citing the desire to avoid retiring too many football numbers as one of its reasons for doing so. Even Kansas has a football Ring of Honor. So do a number of pro franchises, notably the Dallas Cowboys.

In the absence of retiring any more football numbers, Tennessee needs a significant way to honor its greatest gridiron heroes — as well as those in other sports like track or swimming that don’t have numbers.

I like Clemson’s idea. It has a nice ring to it.

Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strange2@knews.com.