Patriots | McGinest critical of Seau Tue, 22 Aug 2006 07:54:01 -0700 The Boston Herald reports Cleveland Browns LB and ex-New England Patriot Willie McGinest is upset with New England Patriots LB Junior Seau's decision to wear McGinest's old No. 55 jersey. "What if I had went to San Diego? I don't even think that would have been an option for me to ask for 55," McGinest said. "I think they would have said, 'You know what, you're a great player, but we've got to put this number to the side because of Junior.' And out of respect, I wouldn't have asked for the number." --- Someone should remind Willie that he chose not to wear #55 for the Patriots anymore when he decided to go after the bigger payday with Cleveland... besides, since when did players start retiring their own numbers? I thought that was something the franchise did to honor them...
Bull crap, he is right. He is one of the foundations of a dynasty. He deserves more respect than that.
If you don't respect a player like him, then you should just close shop. 12 years, 4 SB, All time postseason sack leader. For a washed up scrub who will be hurt by week 3? No class.
He may get his jersey retired one day, when he stops playing... because you are correct about the respect he deserves for his contributions to the Pats success. BUT right now he still plays in the league and for another team, its no business of his what his old team does with his old jersey number. He wants his cake and wants to eat it too, it just doesn't work that way.
Do you think if the new kicker asked for Vinatieri's jersey number the wouldn't give it to him? He left for more money too... If you do that for every player that plays for your franchise who contributed something along the way, you will surely run out of numbers after all their are only 99 single and double digit uniform numbers that can be used.
Not for nothing, but who they gave the number to has nothing to do with the fact that McGinest is out of line with voicing his greivance. He chose to leave the Pats, end of story - he doesn't have any say-so in who they give the #55 to.
McGinest left for the bank...hes not even retired so how could they retire his number? no point in it, nor should players have the right to say if players can or cant wear their old number...He playing for the freakin Browns now...what a loser...he made the decision to leave...and he actually has the balls to ask for it to not be worn out of respect...get real Willie...your good but get off the high horse
I agree. McGinest was a great player on the Pats. Seau should have had the decency to wear a different number. Imagine if someone came to the Jets and wore #80 this year. I'm sure a lot of us would be put off. McGinest is just as justified.
McGinest isnt a hall of fame player, and Seau is... so Seau taking McGinest's old number and McGinest taking Seaus old number is apples and oranges.
McGinest needs to worry about the Cleveland Browns, and not what is going on in New England. Also I am sure that when he retires, his jersery will be retired as well. This is a perfect example of making a mountain out of a molehill.
The article above is leaving out the part where the Belichick called McGinest to get his permission and he agreed.
