My Take...

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Retire Number 8? NEVER.

A petition has recently surfaced seeking signatures to "Retire University of Oregon's Marcus Mariota #8 Jersey". The petition states in part, " ... Let us honor him and his legend by retiring his number."

This is understandable - but misguided.

What is the criteria for retiring a player's number? Yes. Winning the Heisman Trophy is a pretty good start. But then to paraphrase Alabama's Bear Bryant, "Act like you've been there before."

And where does one stop? Who is deserving of having their number retired? How about NFL Hall Of Fame inductees (Oregon is tied for eighth in the country and second in the Pac-12 behind USC with six)? Consensus All-Americans? Statistical leaders in a single category Two? Three? More?

How about coaches that have won a national title (Zero in football - so far)?  Conference Championships maybe - and if so what would be a minimum number to qualify be? Rich Brooks, Mike Bellotti, Chip Kelly, and Mark Helfrich have all won titles. Impressive. But is that enough to receive such an honor?

There are many schools that do retire an athlete's number; others still do not. Oregon would be wise to continue as it has in that regard. There is no need to retire a number. But Oregon SHOULD establish a "Wall of Fame" to bolt on to the University of Oregon Hall of Fame.

And what would the criteria be for induction into this "Wall of Fame"? It should be a higher standard above entry into the Hall of Fame. I would adopt that which has been used by The University of Florida as a start. Modify slightly if needed but it would include:

Criteria to Merit Consideration
The individual must have departed from the U of O for at least five years, be in good standing with the university and meet any one of the below criteria.

•Heisman Trophy Winners
•Former UO All-Americans Inducted into NFL Hall of Fame for Accomplishments as Players
•Former UO All-Americans Who Are NFL Career Category Leaders 
•Collegiate Career Category Leaders
•Coaches with UO National Championships 
•Coaches with at least 3 UO Pac-12 Championships 
•Players with 2 or more consensus All-American honors (AP, Walter Camp, Sporting News, AFCA, FWAA, UPI) who have also been named National Offensive/Defensive Players of Year (AP, Walter Camp, Sporting News, ABC, AFCA, FWAA, UPI)

Whether you call it a "Wall of Fame", "Ring of Honor", or "Flying Duck" makes no difference to me. It's the elevated honor that is to be revered. Again, it's the "Inner Circle" of the Hall of Fame and it should be difficult to attain that honor. Oregon already does something quite unique with it's "Flying Ducks" in Hatfield-Dowlin. It is actually something special and should be considered for expansion / alignment with this "Wall of Fame/Ring of Honor" idea.

Separately, Oregon should - rather than retire a player's number - list the players who have worn the number in the past. Perhaps the list could be posted on the locker itself; or somewhere along the path current players walk every day. Imagine the feeling of pride and focus knowing you are wearing the same number that Norm Van Brocklin, Mel Renfro, George Shaw, Dan Fouts, Ahmad Rashad (Bobby Moore), Gary Zimmerman, Chad Cota, Haloti Ngata, or Kenny Wheaton once wore...It would be unstated but understood. (And we could go on. And on.)

Further, we know this has meaning from the most recent example this year past when Dwayne Stanford wore 85 - Pharaoh Brown's number - to honor his fallen friend. And when a player unexpectedly drowned a few years ago at the beginning of the season, his number was worn by a different player each game as a memorial tribute.

No. No need to sign a petition to retire any player's number. Don't retire them. List them. Just a guess but I think Marcus Mariota will make the cut. And that is just my take. 

We were at a function where there were 20 boosters - myself included - crying over the personal nature of whatever it was; whether it was a guy that played here 64 years ago or ... six years ago; former players, former coaches. That place has a soul....
                                                                      - Mark Helfrich

Go Ducks