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View Full Version : Portis Lawsuit over #26

albionmoonlight
06-06-2005, 03:24 PM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/football/nfl/06/06/bc.fbn.numbergate.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

Here's my question that maybe someone who knows athletes can answer. Why are athletes so attached to their numbers?

Whenever I play rec-type leagues, I try to get #34 because I like Walter Payton. But I certainly don't really care whether I get it or not. And I would never pay lots of money in order to get or keep a number when I was switching teams.

I'm not saying that players are wrong to care so much. And I am not saying that Portis is unique in this regard (far from it). I am just wondering why players seem to care so much.
judicial clerk
06-06-2005, 03:31 PM
I call #75.
Maple Leafs
06-06-2005, 03:37 PM
There's certainly some sentimental value attached. Especially in cases where the number has some sort of personal significance (Jagr comes to mind).

Beyond that, a player's number is a major part of his "brand". From a marketing perspective (and players love to market themselves) it's a key component.
Mustang
06-06-2005, 03:38 PM
Spend 1/2 million on some bling with 26 all over the place and you get pretty attached to a number.

Maybe they need to setup a pro athletes Jewelry Exchange.. "Hey, I have #26 medallions.. you have any #24 for sale?"
Blackadar
06-06-2005, 03:39 PM
Portis is an ass. Pay the man the other $20k like you said you would.
Ksyrup
06-06-2005, 04:08 PM
Settled for $18K. I bet that extra $2K in savings is worth the public lumps Portis has taken and will take over this. Sheesh.
Blackadar
06-06-2005, 04:12 PM
Settled for $18K. I bet that extra $2K in savings is worth the public lumps Portis has taken and will take over this. Sheesh.

As I said...what an ass. :)
Draft Dodger
06-06-2005, 04:16 PM
Settled for $18K. I bet that extra $2K in savings is worth the public lumps Portis has taken and will take over this. Sheesh.

and I'm sure it'll more than pay for his lawyer fees. way to go Portis!
AlexB
06-06-2005, 06:39 PM
Great line by Mike Carlson in his weekly column in First Down (the British weekly football paper), which puts a hitherto unthought of slant on the colleges role in developing future NFL players for situations in their professional careers:

'Miami were pioneers among American institutions of higher education in preparing their student-athletes for the realties of the criminal justice system.' :D

Portis obviously either didn't take enough/took too many notes!
enigma
06-06-2005, 07:18 PM
Why are athletes so attached to their numbers?


This is a very good question.
BigJohn&TheLions
06-06-2005, 07:24 PM
Look at Andre Rison... He had "80" tattooed on his arm. Then, he never wore #80 again.
kcchief19
06-06-2005, 09:52 PM
Athletes aren't any different than a lot of other people who are really good at what they do and are very superstitious. I think in the vast majority of the cases you'll find that players are attached to the number because they think the number might be responsible for their success, especially if they have worn it all their lives.