Let's face it Chicago, the number 23 means a lot to us. Even the younger generations know that the #23 is Michael Jordan's number (the best basketball player of all time) during his tenure as a Chicago Bull and they obviously are aware that #23 is now the number belonging to the NFL record setter Devin Hester for most returns for a TD (now at 18) and will most likely rise since he shows no sign of slowing down or retiring. So why not have 23 retire when Devin Hester does? It seems like the logical thing to do, doesn't it? The opposition may argue that the number is just that a number and taking 23 away from all Chicago jerseys is pointless because it holds no emotional value to us.
So now on to my argument. The #23 should retire with Devin Hester because there will arguably be nobody who can perform the way MJ and Hester have as a Chicago athlete for a long time to come. The case will most likely be that the future athletes who will wear the treasured number will not perform in the same way that these two #23's have and the importance of these records and the honor of wearing the number will fade. Now while there are a few who might disagree that the number is really that important, if you think long and hard are there any other player numbers we respect so much in Chicago sports? There might be a few but none that hold the same number in both basketball and football. So my question to the disbelievers is, why not? Why not retire a number that has been essentially a record setting jersey number from our future jerseys? 6 Championships and 18 returns for a TD, all at the hand of two talented athletes who have the honor of wearing the same number. Sure, Jordan didn't win all of those rings single-handedly but the premise is still the same. If it wasn't for Jordan's thrilling buzzer-beaters and slam dunks, the Bulls might not have had 6 rings to admire in the 90's and Phil Jackson would have had a less difficult decision to make when it came to retiring or wearing rings for good luck with the Lakers.
Devin Hester also has had help. He wouldn't hold the record if it wasn't for a well disciplined special teams group blocking and giving him room to run. But it is his speed and agility that have allowed him to slip past tackles that his teammates have missed not to mention his cunning ability to trick opposing forces into thinking he isn't running when he actually will that makes him so special and why opponents still (and quite possibly always will) view him as a threat when he is in the backfield waiting to make a fool out of whoever kicks directly to him.
Some might say its luck that Hester and Jordan ended up wearing the same number, but why can't it be fate that these two incredible professional athletes have the same number? Maybe Chicago and the number 23 are destined to be together forever, maybe the number represents more than just a form of identification of a player, maybe it is a sign that 23 and records go hand in hand in the Windy City. So again, why not? Why not have #23 rest as the number that has given Chicago sports the pride it has for the players that have worn it?
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