After two years of controversy and awkward numbers, the Michigan football team announced that its “Legends” jersey program would be retired.
The program — which honored Michigan’s five retired numbers by giving them to current Wolverines — unretired the jersey numbers of Gerald Ford (No. 48), Tom Harmon (98), Ron Kramer (87), Bennie Oosterbaan (47), and Albert, Alvin and Whitey Wistert (11). The program drew controversy from fans and program alumni.
“During the search process for our new football coach, I had a meeting with the Michigan football team and they expressed their feelings associated with wearing these legendary jerseys,” said Interim Athletic Director Jim Hackett in a released statement.