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From: williams@vu-vlsi.UUCP (Thomas Williams)
Newsgroups: net.sport.football
Subject: Re: Bears "51"
Message-ID: <225@vu-vlsi.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 2-Feb-86 14:07:55 EST
Article-I.D.: vu-vlsi.225
Posted: Sun Feb  2 14:07:55 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 5-Feb-86 01:05:54 EST
References: <924@houxa.UUCP>
Organization: Villanova Univ. EE Dept.
Lines: 22
Summary: #51 still inuse!


In article <924@houxa.UUCP>, jjc@houxa.UUCP (J.CARBONARO) writes:
> 
> Please tell me why there is a player on the Bears wearing "51".  God,
> is NOTHING sacred!?!  And it isn't even Singletary - at least HE could
> do it some justice.  This is a serious question, Chicagoans.  Why DO
> they still use Butkus' number?


	The reason the Bears still use Butkus' number is because of the
NFL's numbering system.  Centers and linebackers are required to wear the
nbers 50 through 59.  The Bears retired a few old-timers' numbers which
happened to be in the fifties, including Hall of Famer Bill George.  These
guys played during the Bears early glory years, before there was such a
thing as the Super Bowl Shuffle.  Since every team carries about 7 or 8
centers and linebackers, and a few fifty numbers had already been retired,
there was no room to retire Butkus' #51.  So don't blame the Bears' 
organization, blame ROZELLE.  Maybe someone can tell me why the numbering
system was developed.  BTW that's why you never see 0's or 00's any more.


				{prynj, psuvax1}!vu-vlsi!williams