Clark honors Taylor

SeanTaylor21 · 05-04-2008, 08:29 PM

Steelers Notebook: Mendenhall injures hamstring as minicamp jinx strikes again

"Ryan Clark wanted to switch jersey numbers this season, to wear No. 21 in honor of his murdered friend and former teammate, Sean Taylor.

The NFL said no, so Clark must stick with his No. 25 in games, but he has worn No. 21 in minicamp practices this weekend and will continue to do so throughout the 2008 season to honor Taylor.

"I tried to change my number this year, but the NFL wouldn't let me," said Clark, who overcame the loss of his spleen and gall bladder last season to return to the No. 1 spot at free safety this weekend.

"They kind of gave me the run-around about it -- if you do change a number after having it so long and there are jerseys made, you have to buy the other ones. I tried to do that, but they never really got back with me. It is a veteran rule, about having a number for so long. When you go to another team, it's a little different.

"So I'll just wear it in practice."

That's pretty gay, just cause he wore that number for a while shouldn't mean that he is not allowed to change it.

Gmanc711 · 05-04-2008, 08:31 PM

Why exactly won't the NFL let him do that?

Its weird because I dont remember Taylor (of all people) having trouble with the switch from 36 to 21

mooby · 05-04-2008, 08:34 PM

Yeah I had no idea the NFL could do that, every case I've seen where a player tried to switch their number it was allowed, and if another player had the # that person wanted then they had to reach an agreement on it. That's pretty stupid on the NFL's part, nobody had that number.

SeanTaylor21 · 05-04-2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gmanc711

Why exactly won't the NFL let him do that?

Its weird because I dont remember Taylor (of all people) having trouble with the switch from 36 to 21

Because it is some veteran rule that if you wear a jersey number for a certain amount of time you have to keep wearing it until you get onto another team.

mooby · 05-04-2008, 08:42 PM

That sounds like a dumb rule if there ever was one. What exactly is the purpose of that? It sounds like it might be marketing related, that's the only thing I can figure out lol.

SeanTaylor21 · 05-04-2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mooby

That sounds like a dumb rule if there ever was one. What exactly is the purpose of that? It sounds like it might be marketing related, that's the only thing I can figure out lol.

It is because then they have to get all those other number jersey off shelves and put the others, and I guess they don't want to go to the trouble.

Cowell · 05-04-2008, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanTaylor21

It is because then they have to get all those other number jersey off shelves and put the others, and I guess they don't want to go to the trouble.

As bad as this sounds you really have to see where the NFL is coming from. The NFL is a business, it is their objective to make money not lose it. If they have to cut the prices on Clark's old jersey down to a fraction of what it was then they aren't making the money the should be. Not only that but you have to re-make the Clark jerseys w/ the new #. Just keep in mind the NFL is a business.

SC Skins Fan · 05-04-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowell

As bad as this sounds you really have to see where the NFL is coming from. The NFL is a business, it is their objective to make money not lose it. If they have to cut the prices on Clark's old jersey down to a fraction of what it was then they aren't making the money the should be. Not only that but you have to re-make the Clark jerseys w/ the new #. Just keep in mind the NFL is a business.

I doubt it has much bearing in Clark's case. Are there really a bunch (or any) Ryan Clark jerseys for sale? But it probably is a blanket rule for other guys who actually do have jersey's on the shelves.

drew54 · 05-04-2008, 10:11 PM

No Fun League.

This is a sad excuse. I can understand them not allowing players to change their numbers yearly, but there cannot be as many Ryan Clark jerseys on the shelf as there is Hines Ward or Big Ben.

onlydarksets · 05-04-2008, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowell

As bad as this sounds you really have to see where the NFL is coming from. The NFL is a business, it is their objective to make money not lose it. If they have to cut the prices on Clark's old jersey down to a fraction of what it was then they aren't making the money the should be. Not only that but you have to re-make the Clark jerseys w/ the new #. Just keep in mind the NFL is a business.

According to the quote above, the player has the option of buying up the unsold jerseys with the old number. Clark said he offered to do that, and the NFL never got back to him.

Quote:

"They kind of gave me the run-around about it -- if you do change a number after having it so long and there are jerseys made, you have to buy the other ones. I tried to do that, but they never really got back with me. It is a veteran rule, about having a number for so long. When you go to another team, it's a little different.

SC Skins Fan · 05-05-2008, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlydarksets

According to the quote above, the player has the option of buying up the unsold jerseys with the old number. Clark said he offered to do that, and the NFL never got back to him.

What do you know, they actually do have Ryan Clark jerseys NFL Shop - Pittsburgh Steelers: Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers Ryan Clark Replica Team Color Jersey at NFLShop, Dick's, and a bunch of other places. I bet there are a whole lot more than you (or I) thought. I wonder if you wanted to buy them if Reebok would charge you $74.99 or if you could get a bulk discount (I read an article about the production process on these and the actual cost to Reebok for the replicas is less than $10, something like $8.10 per jersey to produce).

Defensewins · 05-05-2008, 11:16 AM

He is not changing his number because his old college number became available or his astrologist told him to do so for better luck.
He is honoring a close friend that was murdered. The NFL needs to be a little more understanding in certain situations.

skinsfan69 · 05-05-2008, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC Skins Fan

I doubt it has much bearing in Clark's case. Are there really a bunch (or any) Ryan Clark jerseys for sale? But it probably is a blanket rule for other guys who actually do have jersey's on the shelves.

I was gonna say....Are there really that many Clark jersey's to begin with?? Sometimes the NFL just needs to stop and think for a second. Let the guy honor his friend and eat the stinkin money. Is the NFL going to go broke not selling the old jersey's?????? What a bunch of stiff suits.

Jamaican'Skin · 05-05-2008, 11:53 AM

This seems pretty stupid. Why give the run around for something as petty as this? He just wants to change his number, and for a great reason, shouldn't they be more understanding? This is not just a business, but is a people business, and you must cater to the people in your business, but if the rules don't cater to the people, but rather to the pockets, then what are they really doing? If jersey sales are that important, wouldn't they get good money for the people who want to keep up with Ryan Clark's new number?

onlydarksets · 05-05-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

I was gonna say....Are there really that many Clark jersey's to begin with?? Sometimes the NFL just needs to stop and think for a second. Let the guy honor his friend and eat the stinkin money. Is the NFL going to go broke not selling the old jersey's?????? What a bunch of stiff suits.

Again, it doesn't seem to be about that - Clark says he offered to pay for the unsold jerseys. Makes you wonder what is really going on.

05-04-2008, 08:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
SeanTaylor21 Special Teams Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Herndon, Virginia Posts: 444	Clark honors Taylor Steelers Notebook: Mendenhall injures hamstring as minicamp jinx strikes again "Ryan Clark wanted to switch jersey numbers this season, to wear No. 21 in honor of his murdered friend and former teammate, Sean Taylor. The NFL said no, so Clark must stick with his No. 25 in games, but he has worn No. 21 in minicamp practices this weekend and will continue to do so throughout the 2008 season to honor Taylor. "I tried to change my number this year, but the NFL wouldn't let me," said Clark, who overcame the loss of his spleen and gall bladder last season to return to the No. 1 spot at free safety this weekend. "They kind of gave me the run-around about it -- if you do change a number after having it so long and there are jerseys made, you have to buy the other ones. I tried to do that, but they never really got back with me. It is a veteran rule, about having a number for so long. When you go to another team, it's a little different. "So I'll just wear it in practice." That's pretty gay, just cause he wore that number for a while shouldn't mean that he is not allowed to change it. __________________ “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/6...rmationgg7.jpg http://www.thehogs.net/sean-taylor/burgundy_heart.jpg

05-04-2008, 08:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Gmanc711 Thank You, Sean. Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Rochester,NY Posts: 6,088	Re: Clark honors Taylor Why exactly won't the NFL let him do that? Its weird because I dont remember Taylor (of all people) having trouble with the switch from 36 to 21 __________________ #21 I bleed Yellow, Maroon, and Black....too funny....

05-04-2008, 08:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
mooby Director of Zornography Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Woodbridge, VA Posts: 3,951	Re: Clark honors Taylor Yeah I had no idea the NFL could do that, every case I've seen where a player tried to switch their number it was allowed, and if another player had the # that person wanted then they had to reach an agreement on it. That's pretty stupid on the NFL's part, nobody had that number. __________________ A few guidelines for the mass of old players that are going to get released somewhere along the line, and whether or not we should bring them in. 1. If the player is old as dirt don't bother. 2. If the player is washed up don't bother. 3. If the player doesn't address an area of need like LB don't bother. Brought to you by WilsoWilso.

05-04-2008, 08:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
mooby Director of Zornography Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Woodbridge, VA Posts: 3,951	Re: Clark honors Taylor That sounds like a dumb rule if there ever was one. What exactly is the purpose of that? It sounds like it might be marketing related, that's the only thing I can figure out lol. __________________ A few guidelines for the mass of old players that are going to get released somewhere along the line, and whether or not we should bring them in. 1. If the player is old as dirt don't bother. 2. If the player is washed up don't bother. 3. If the player doesn't address an area of need like LB don't bother. Brought to you by WilsoWilso.

05-04-2008, 10:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
drew54 Impact Rookie Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: IOWA Posts: 771	Re: Clark honors Taylor No Fun League. This is a sad excuse. I can understand them not allowing players to change their numbers yearly, but there cannot be as many Ryan Clark jerseys on the shelf as there is Hines Ward or Big Ben. __________________ Where is PWNED when you need him.

05-05-2008, 11:16 AM	#12 (permalink)
Defensewins The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 1,212	Re: Clark honors Taylor He is not changing his number because his old college number became available or his astrologist told him to do so for better luck. He is honoring a close friend that was murdered. The NFL needs to be a little more understanding in certain situations.

05-05-2008, 11:53 AM	#14 (permalink)
Jamaican'Skin Veteran Comic Relief Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kingston, Jamaica Posts: 1,409	Re: Clark honors Taylor This seems pretty stupid. Why give the run around for something as petty as this? He just wants to change his number, and for a great reason, shouldn't they be more understanding? This is not just a business, but is a people business, and you must cater to the people in your business, but if the rules don't cater to the people, but rather to the pockets, then what are they really doing? If jersey sales are that important, wouldn't they get good money for the people who want to keep up with Ryan Clark's new number? __________________ No One Can Take My Title, Imma forever remain Question 3 Idol

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