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U of L has announced that it will retire Lamar Jackson’s No. 8 jersey during a ceremony at Louisville’s home game vs. Syracuse on Saturday, November 13.
Jackson will become the second player in Cardinal football history to have his number retired, joining the great Johnny Unitas.
He thought he was meeting with the media, but we had other plans...
— Louisville Athletics (@GoCards) October 16, 2021
The moment @Lj_era8 found out that his number is being retired.#GoCards x #L1C4 pic.twitter.com/LIw8XjWxGn
A legend may not even need a name, but something far more simple…
— Louisville Football (@UofLFootball) October 16, 2021
A Number.
There will never be another #8.#GoCards x @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/BWJsz1mozJ
Wide receiver Tyler Harrell and defensive lineman Henry Bryant, who are currently wearing the No. 8 this season, will have the opportunity to finish the season in that jersey before the number will be officially retired at the end of the year.
In 2016, Jackson became the youngest player ever to win the Heisman Trophy after rushing for 1,571 yards and 21 touchdowns while passing for 3,543 yards and 30 more scores. As a junior in 2017, Jackson finished with 1,601 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground, while throwing for 3,660 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Despite playing just three seasons, Jackson shared or broke 42 school records and seven conference records. He’s also the only player in ACC history to be named both the player and offensive player of the year in consecutive seasons.
Jackson left the college game as the first non-senior in FBS history to rush for at least 4,000 yards and pass for at least 9,000 yards in his career. He is also the only player in FBS history to rush for at least 1,500 yards and pass for at least 3,500 yards in a season, accomplishing the feat in both 2016 and 2017.
This is the right move by the athletic department, and Nov. 13 should be a terrific celebration.
No. 8 forever.