Unretire 32?

[nucci]

Imagine some rookie RB trotting onto the field wearing number 32.

 

On the one hand, it will hard for fans not to make comparisons. And when it comes to skill running a football, the rook will be found sadly wanting.

 

On another hand, it will be hard for fans not to be reminded of the horrible murders committed by OJ.

 

Why force a RB to deal with all the baggage that comes with that number?

 

Why force fans to remember OJ and his terrible legacy?

 

Leave the number unofficially retired.

Agree...leave everything the way it is.

[Gordio]

How come a few years ago I got banned for a year from this place because I made one harmless, innocent comment about T Graham when he wrote a negative article about our beloved R Wilson but now I see people bash him all the time around here & nothing is done about it?

[Jauronimo]

How come a few years ago I got banned for a year from this place because I made one harmless, innocent comment about T Graham when he wrote a negative article about our beloved R Wilson but now I see people bash him all the time around here & nothing is done about it?

Its pretty hard to get banned from TBD. Its really hard to get a year long vacation.

[Gugny]

How come a few years ago I got banned for a year from this place because I made one harmless, innocent comment about T Graham when he wrote a negative article about our beloved R Wilson but now I see people bash him all the time around here & nothing is done about it?

 

Gordio ... was this 2009-ish or before, by chance?

[mrags]

Um... It's not like we need the extra numbers to field a team or anything. Just leave it the way it is. It shouldn't be offending anyone now and if you leave it the way it is it shouldn't offend you then.

 

And if it does offend you then you need to grow a pair.

[3rdand12]

 

 

It's obviously a highly unusual situation. i don't think there is a good answer. What he did on the football field speaks for itself. His off field actions should not and have not kept him out of the Hall of Fame. He belongs there. The closest comparison, although not exact, is Pete Rose.

 

WRT the number that is a tough one. The Bills had not officially retired any number until Kelly's so technically the number is fair game. I don't think the Bills can win here though. Keep it unofficially retired and they could look like they're ignoring the off field issues. Unretire it and it will do nothing but open a different can of worms. Lose lose. Maybe the best bet would be to give it to a guy you know will be cut once or twice in preseason and then finally break down and give it to a guy who will stick. Even that is sort of unfair to the kid who will be cut.

 

The Hall of Fame honor was given for his immense on the field talents and achievements. With no standard set for retiring a number the Bills could say it is on field + contributions outside of football.....OJ fails in that area.

The difference in the Wall of Fame and the Hall of Fame.

Hall of fame is about football greatness. Wall of Fame is about Buffalo's football heroes on , and off the field in my opinion

Wall of Fame should reflect the character that is Buffalo

[Gugny]

The difference in the Wall of Fame and the Hall of Fame.

Hall of fame is about football greatness. Wall of Fame is about Buffalo's football heroes on , and off the field in my opinion

Wall of Fame should reflect the character that is Buffalo

 

Well said and I agree 100%.

[RyanC883]

Um ... there is a huge difference between a garden-variety a-holish knucklehead-mook athlete and a double murderer. No one compares to OJ in terms of vileness. Basically, you can't compare like to like because there is no like to like. Rae Carruth is your best comparable.

 

I honestly can't believe there's a contingent here who argues for keeping it up. The fact that he was a good football player pales in comparison to what he did.

 

And the Bills should only admire his contributions as an athlete. Removing him from history does nothing. He is a cautionary tail (in the extreme). He is on the Wall of Fame, etc., but that doesn't mean that being a murderer/criminal, etc. won't catch up with you. Future generations can see his name on the Wall of Fame, etc. and wonder what he did to be so reviled beyond football.

The difference in the Wall of Fame and the Hall of Fame.

Hall of fame is about football greatness. Wall of Fame is about Buffalo's football heroes on , and off the field in my opinion

Wall of Fame should reflect the character that is Buffalo

 

do you have a citation for this, or is this just your opinion? Everyone on the Wall of Fame was a great football player. Kelly reflected poorly on Buffalo during his playing days. Should he not have been up there until he changed?

Edited May 12, 2016 by RyanC883

[papazoid]

OJ is a piece of chit. i will not buy , watch or support anything with his name attached (with the exception of bills tickets).

 

his football accomplishments fall under the category of what is done is done.... they should not be erased, removed or undone.

 

i just prefer we never celebrate, honor, invite and or include him in anything going forward.

 

his number should be buried on the owners exempt list (I made that up) , never used again.

 

 

I can see one long shot scenario where #32 is worn again.....

 

let's say the bills acquire through trade a perennial All Pro (like a shady McCoy) who has always worn that number his entire life and still wants it.....

[3rdand12]

 

Well said and I agree 100%.

Thanks. I hope more folks feel this way. I beleive Buffalo Bills have a been a class act over this matter btw.

 

Question., What if a rookie wanted to wear his college # and it happened to be 32.

How would you guys respond?

[RyanC883]

Thanks. I hope more folks feel this way. I beleive Buffalo Bills have a been a class act over this matter btw.

 

Question., What if a rookie wanted to wear his college # and it happened to be 32.

How would you guys respond?

 

Great question. You will get a lot of different answers. I'd say go for it. The number is not retired. Sure, it would be controversial for a year or so, but people would get over it. It's not the like guy in your scenario chose it to "honor" Simpson.

Edited May 12, 2016 by RyanC883

[3rdand12]

 

And the Bills should only admire his contributions as an athlete. Removing him from history does nothing. He is a cautionary tail (in the extreme). He is on the Wall of Fame, etc., but that doesn't mean that being a murderer/criminal, etc. won't catch up with you. Future generations can see his name on the Wall of Fame, etc. and wonder what he did to be so reviled beyond football.

 

do you have a citation for this, or is this just your opinion? Everyone on the Wall of Fame was a great football player. Kelly reflected poorly on Buffalo during his playing days. Should he not have been up there until he changed?

I am speaking to his lifetime, you missed my point entirely

[RyanC883]

How come a few years ago I got banned for a year from this place because I made one harmless, innocent comment about T Graham when he wrote a negative article about our beloved R Wilson but now I see people bash him all the time around here & nothing is done about it?

 

if you re-post your post perhaps we can find out?!?!

[3rdand12]

I am speaking to his lifetime, you missed my point entirely

Trying to reflect on the players lifetime achievements, and what he gave to the community.

I should have been more clear ryan

 

if you re-post your post perhaps we can find out?!?!

Ha ! That wont help matters.

I never made the point. clearly you fool !!

[RyanC883]

RyanC883, on 12 May 2016 - 1:25 PM, said:

 

And the Bills should only admire his contributions as an athlete. Removing him from history does nothing. He is a cautionary tail (in the extreme). He is on the Wall of Fame, etc., but that doesn't mean that being a murderer/criminal, etc. won't catch up with you. Future generations can see his name on the Wall of Fame, etc. and wonder what he did to be so reviled beyond football.

 

do you have a citation for this, or is this just your opinion? Everyone on the Wall of Fame was a great football player. Kelly reflected poorly on Buffalo during his playing days. Should he not have been up there until he changed?

I guess I disagree with your criteria for the Wall. I think of the Wall as a Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame. If you count "off the field," Kelly would NOT have been eligible until after his playing days were long over and he changed. What if he continued being a philander and moved back to Miami, saying he hated Buffalo winters.

Edited May 12, 2016 by RyanC883

[Dopey]

Um ... there is a huge difference between a garden-variety a-holish knucklehead-mook athlete and a double murderer. No one compares to OJ in terms of vileness. Basically, you can't compare like to like because there is no like to like. Rae Carruth is your best comparable.

 

I honestly can't believe there's a contingent here who argues for keeping it up. The fact that he was a good football player pales in comparison to what he did.

You're correct, there is a big difference between a garden-variety a-holish knucklehead-mook athlete and a double murderer, but who is this double murderer you are referring to? There was a trial...

 

Voted no.

Edited May 12, 2016 by Dopey

[K D]

Don't make it available. Not because it's retired but because it's disgraceful. Burn it and don't let anyone ever wear it again

[mrags]

Don't make it available. Not because it's retired but because it's disgraceful. Burn it and don't let anyone ever wear it again

why? It's just a freaking number.

 

It's 32. Who cares. Did you tell people you were 33 when you were 32 just because you were that offended by the number?

 

People on this board have too many feelings.

[Gugny]

If CJ Spiller came back, I'd like to see him wear 32. Man, I miss that guy.

[mrags]

If CJ Spiller came back, I'd like to see him wear 32. Man, I miss that guy.

i want to OJ Simpson you.