To honor these legendary athletes, the Jets have retired certain jersey numbers, ensuring that no other player will ever don those digits. These numbers serve as a perpetual tribute to the men who wore them, symbolizing their extraordinary impact on the franchise.
In this series, we'll delve into the careers of the Jets' retired numbers, exploring their on-field accomplishments, their significance to the team, and the lasting legacy they've built. From the AFL's early days to the modern era, we'll uncover the stories behind the numbers and the players who made them legendary.
Get ready to relive some of the most thrilling moments in Jets history as we pay homage to the men who defined the green and white.
Here are the honored players and their numbers that are not issued in Miami anymore:
Jersey Number 12
Joe Namath 1965–1976
Jersey Number 13
Don Maynard 1963–1972
Jersey Number 28
Curtis Martin 1998–2005
Jersey Number 73
Joe Klecko 1977–1987
Jersey Number 90
Dennis Byrd 1989–1992
If you love football jersey designs and evolution, wait until you check out the History of American Football Jersey.
Football Jersey Frequently Asked Questions
✦ What are American football jerseys made of? Modern jerseys are made of synthetic fibers such as polyester or a blend of different materials such as spandex. For more, check out our in-depth study of The Makeup and Materials of Football Jerseys.
✦ What NFL franchise(s) has/have the most retired jersey numbers? The Chicago Bears and the New York Giants each lead the league with 14 different numbers retired. They have to duplicate when 90-man rosters are in effect.
✦ When did football jerseys start having numbers on them? Though there was documented talk of it since 1894, players only wore digits in a 1905 Iowa State at Drake game. Check out more on this story The Origins Of Football Player Numbers.
✦ Whose college football jersey was the first to be retired? Red Grange's Number 77 Ilinois Illini jersey was the first college uni shelved in 1925. There were a couple more about the same time, and we chatted with a college football expert historian to help divulge College Football and its First Retired Jerseys.
