For the Washington Redskins, what’s in a number?

Let the debate begin. Should newly acquired Redskins safety Landon Collins wear the cherished number 21? How about 36? Maybe another number. There are many opinions.

Landon Collins, arguably the best safety in the 2019 free agent class, is heading to the Washington Redskins. However, this has sparked a new debate amongst Redskins fans – what number should he wear – and it is a passionate dialogue currently playing out on social media.

Collins coming to the Redskins was not a surprise. He has been a fan for many years and his favorite player was the late Sean Taylor, according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini. Now that he is relocating to DC, the number debate has begun in earnest.

Fans are divided on the issue. Knowing that Sean Taylor was Collins’ favorite player, some of the Redskins faithful are eager for him to wear Taylor’s ultra-special 21 jersey. Other fans want Collins to don 36, Taylor’s rookie number. A few fans want the coveted free agent to choose another number altogether. Which one makes sense? And how did this desired number preference (for fans and players) begin anyway?

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Sports teams have a tradition of retiring numbers of athletes who have achieved greatness and legendary status. With the number of football players that are on a football team, retired numbers become a burden of sorts for any franchise. The NFL assigns certain numbers to a group of players and the number a player desires could become difficult to obtain. Teams can also start to run out of numerical options if too many numbers are not utilized. So what is the solution?

Please keep an open mind here. Retiring a number is fine, but make it for a finite period of time. Seventy-five years is a reasonable option. A player is not necessarily forgotten, but after so many years, that number loses an identity with said player.

All-Everything Redskins legend Sammy Baugh wore No. 33, and it is retired. Bring the number back in 2027, 75 years after he retired. This length of time should be a standard in all sports. Placing that name and number on a Ring of Honor or from a flag pole is permanent, but bringing back that number after so many years eases the burden of all teams to have numbers available for players in the present.

The number 21. It is an iconic number for Redskins fans and fans of Taylor. After searching through a multiplicity of social media polls in recent days, fans seemed to support the possibility of Landon Collins wearing the highly revered number. Is that the right thing to do? Collins will seek permission from Taylor’s family and if the request is granted, expect to see the talented safety wearing the 21 very soon.

It’s easy to say, “a number is a number and nothing more.” Redskins fans know that is an untrue statement. Sean Taylor will always be 21 in the hearts of Redskins fans. However, that won’t be the case in 75 years. Most, if not all, of us will be gone by then. Let’s bring back the famed 21 one more time before we depart.

Next. 21: The story of the late, great Sean Taylor. dark

Landon Collins respects the number of his idol and will likely bring pride and joy while wearing this special jersey. Bring back the 21 and let us never forget the inspirational memories of Sean Taylor.

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