How do the Patriots have 7 retired numbers? (1 Viewer)

[Riversco]

I don't understand the Patriots retired numbers. They were founded in 1960. They have 7 numbers retired, none of them won a super bowl. I'm looking at some of the players. Steve Nelson went to 3 pro bowls. Gino Cappelletti went to 5 pro bowls. Ok.

I turn to the Detroit Lions. They were founded in 1930. They won several NFL titles. They won the NFL title in 35, 52, 53, and 57. Yet the Lions only have 6 retired numbers.

If the Patriots have 7 in their lean years, shouldn't the Lions have like 12 from their championship years?

The Packers have only retired 5 numbers.

The Steelers have only retired one number.

The Cowboys do not retire numbers.

Are the Patriots full of themselves?

 

[MoveToSkypager]

Different teams have different standards. I don't know when they had their numbers retired, but perhaps it was when the team was rumored to move and the owner wanted to drum up some kind of attendance and interest in the team.

 

[Riversco]

Different teams have different standards. I don't know when they had their numbers retired, but perhaps it was when the team was rumored to move and the owner wanted to drum up some kind of attendance and interest in the team.

What do they do with the super bowl teams though? It seems they either need to have like 15 retired numbers, or leave several guys who won multiple bowls off the list.

 

[Riversco]

I would think the list must add

Brady

Vinatieri

Law

Milloy

Seymour

Wilfork

Bledsoe

 

[MoveToSkypager]

I would think the list must add

Brady

Vinatieri

Law

Milloy

Seymour

Wilfork

Bledsoe

McGinest is a living playoff legend. I don't have an answer for you though. Maybe they didn't think they'd have a team this good.

 

[Sarnoff]

I would think the list must add

Brady

Vinatieri

Law

Milloy

Seymour

Wilfork

Bledsoe

gonna run out of valid numbers for some positions quickly.