Retire #21

[jcook84]

Originally Posted by ElectricCock

He never got 1st Team All American, didnt graduate Carolina, and didn't score a TD against Clemson. And y'all are talking about retiring a number and even a statue? lol

I love Marcus as much as the next guy, but let your emotions settle and make a rational decision

Please don't blast me.

+1

Marcus is, and probably will forever be my favorite Gamecock. He's done a metric ton for this program. But the first person to have a statue should be Big George...until he's got one, no one else should even be mentioned.

And here's how I honored Marcus recently; by having my family sport his number in a few of our family photos...These pictures will last forever, and in the future I'll be able to tell my 2 year old stories about why he and daddy were wearing #21 that day.

[86 GradCock]

Originally Posted by carolinacoast

The policy of retiring jerseys, but not numbers is new, and that is what most schools are doing now, I believe. The university tried to unretire some numbers, but one player(still living), balked. USC tried to give #2 to Alshon, but the player didn't go for it. It seems there are only so many numbers 0-100, and the university went for retiring only jerseys, not numbers. As far as I know, that is the policy.

Sterling Sharpe; arguably the greatest receiver to ever play for South Carolina.

Originally Posted by CoverTwo

I think a lot of these ideas are over the top for a guy that didn't play a full 3 seasons.

A statue? Really?

Completely agree!

Originally Posted by ElectricCock

He never got 1st Team All American, didnt graduate Carolina, and didn't score a TD against Clemson. And y'all are talking about retiring a number and even a statue? lol

I love Marcus as much as the next guy, but let your emotions settle and make a rational decision

Please don't blast me.

Marcus is my all time favorite Gamecock and this is coming from over 30 years of being a fan. However, unless you have the perspective that comes only from years of following a program, it is easy to get caught up in the latest and greatest. The contributions Marcus made to the University of South Carolina are great and far reaching. His legacy will be remembered long after I am gone and an annual award is the perfect way to recognize and honor all that Marcus did for Gamecock Nation.

[yazoo]

Originally Posted by DiamondGamecock

I know it was mentioned in the Lattimore Appreciation thread, and to some this is a sensitive topic. I would like to say, I believe his number should be retired. He is the greatest gamecock to every play this game, be it on the field and off.

#Retire21

Retire the jersey not the number. It is too difficult to field a team when 10 percent of the numbers are unavailable because they have been "retired."

Originally Posted by 86 GradCock

Sterling Sharpe; arguably the greatest receiver to ever play for South Carolina.

No argument. He was the greatest.

[Nureye]

I'd rather see us endow a scholarship in his name like was just done for Tommy Suggs.

Speak with your wallet.

[Emery]

Originally Posted by Nureye

I'd rather see us endow a scholarship in his name like was just done for Tommy Suggs.

Speak with your wallet.

I love this idea, but each are not mutually exclusive.

I think it's going to be weird to see 21 on offense anymore, I can't remember a player in the past 10 or 20 years so associated with their number for me. However, I understand why people don't want to retire numbers for simply logistic reasons. The statue is a bit over the top, but the ring of honor with bronze busts or something along with history/photos/etc. around the stadium would be great.

[jcook84]

Originally Posted by Emery

I think it's going to be weird to see 21 on offense anymore, I can't remember a player in the past 10 or 20 years so associated with their number for me.

You remember this guy, right?

[yazoo]

Originally Posted by Emery

I love this idea, but each are not mutually exclusive.

I think it's going to be weird to see 21 on offense anymore, I can't remember a player in the past 10 or 20 years so associated with their number for me. However, I understand why people don't want to retire numbers for simply logistic reasons. The statue is a bit over the top, but the ring of honor with bronze busts or something along with history/photos/etc. around the stadium would be great.

That does not mean others will feel that way. Also, it is not a very good argument for retiring a number, to help you feel less weird.

I agree with the sentiment that a lot of people are becoming too emotional to make good decisions about memorializing Lattimore. He was a good player, and but for his injuries might have been great; however, we are going way overboard with some of this retiring numbers, building statutes, and plaques stuff.

[FlorenceCock]

People are really getting crazy with all of this. Look we all love Marcus Lattimore and he will go down in history of one of the greatest Gamecocks ever but look people he doesn't warrant having his number retired or a freaking statue built of him. Like I said in my other post people are getting way to emotional about this and letting them control them.

[DBMack]

Originally Posted by jcook84

+1

Marcus is, and probably will forever be my favorite Gamecock. He's done a metric ton for this program. But the first person to have a statue should be Big George...until he's got one, no one else should even be mentioned.

And here's how I honored Marcus recently; by having my family sport his number in a few of our family photos...These pictures will last forever, and in the future I'll be able to tell my 2 year old stories about why he and daddy were wearing #21 that day.

I respect your opinion, but here's why I disagree....

First, Rogers was honored with a street being named after him and he was painted on the sides of buildings around campus. From a pure stat/on-field performance perspective, he is probably the greatest Gamecock thus far. But he never had the intangible impact on the program the way Marcus did. Marcus was the catalyst for the greatest upward surge in our team's history. Not Spurrier, Marcus. George didn't provide the same spark to the program. We stayed mediocre for years to come.

Marcus' impact can't be measured in yards and TDs. But I guarantee you, the abbreviated time he spent on the field for us will last for generations. I think a statue is the least we should do to honor him.

[Emery]

I remember Brewer but I don't associate him so strongly with his number for whatever reason.

The fact with USC is that in the past we have done a piss poor job recognizing player's accomplishments and have lost connections with our stars. Spurrier has moved us in the right direction with the stadium but more could be done to bring a better historical significance to the stadium and to the program, which for me includes endowment scholarships.

Frankly, I don't care if they really retire the number or not, but we as a program should do a better job of recognizing and remembering our past.

[Kazak]

Originally Posted by DiamondGamecock

While I understand this, he is ultimately almost fully responsible for this university's turn around. I understand the policy, but to fans everywhere, this policy can be rewritten, especially when the name Lattimore is involved.

There is and always will be only one Lattimore, and #21 is and always will be connected to that.

Dude, I love Lattimore and everything he's done, but that statement is a bit over the top. Dial it back just a hair. Steve Spurrier is the person most responsible for the turn around of the program.

[CockTail]

USC should damn sure make him a Captain for the Outback Bowl and allow him to walk to the center of the field and call the coin toss.

[CoverTwo]

You put statues up/name things for players/coaches for their on the field accomplishments. Marcus, while he was a beast when healthy, didn't win a championship or a Heisman or set a career yardage record, etc. He was a very good college football player no doubt but he is not statue or street name worthy.

Putting his name on the walkway for the rushing TD record is plenty. Maybe do the scholarship fund thing.

[garnet_tacos]

How about USC starts a space program and puts a statue of him on the moon?
Love Lattimore, but you guys are taking this to the extreme

[bigduff32]

Can we get a poll attached to see who prefers retiring it to the idea of making someone earn it?? thanks

[jcook84]

Originally Posted by DBMack

I think a statue is the least we should do to honor him.

If a statue is the least we should do, what do you think would be sufficient?

University of South Carolina Fighting Lattimores?

[Cockholio]

Originally Posted by crowcutta

policy is to retire jerseys, not numbers. if he still holds a school record in 5 years undoubtedly his jersey will get retired.

This. Just not enough numbers to go around to be retiring any of them.

[FlorenceCock]

Originally Posted by jcook84

If a statue is the least we should do, what do you think would be sufficient?

University of South Carolina Fighting Lattimores?

I know right. We need to rename Williams-Brice to Marcus Lattimore Stadium at the very least.

[DiamondGamecock]

When did retiring a jersey become extreme. I never said a thing about a statue or anything else. Just retire the number and jersey.
If a guy gets hurt and even the opposing team comes onto the field for support, the guy is something else all together. You probably won't ever see that again.

[SwampFox]

I can't see retiring his number. Like it or not, there is a stigma attached to the players who leave early for the NFL.

Steve Spurrier is the person most responsible for the turn around of the program.

You said it. Pts.