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The Arizona Cardinals have agreed to sign three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt. He has worn No. 99 his entire 10-year career and wore it while he was college at Wisconsin as well. However, that number is one of five numbers retired by the Cardinals in honor of Marshall Goldberg, who played for the Chicago Cardinals from 1939-1948 and was instrumental in the team’s only championship in 1947.
It would appear that Watt will have to wear another number.
But that might not be the case.
Watt might be able to wear it if the team is willing to lend it or unretire it temporarily.
The Denver Broncos did that for quarterback Peyton Manning. He wore No. 18 after it had been retired in honor of Frank Tripucka, after Tripucka gave Manning his blessing to wear it.
In Watt’s case, it is trickier because Goldberg died 15 years ago.
That said, it appears he has the family’s blessing if he asks.
“I know Dad was really honored when they retired his number, but also he has always respected other players, and if J.J. Watt had the No. 99 with him for a long time and it meant something to him, I think he’d be delighted to let him use the number and unretire or whatever the proper word would be,” said Goldberg’s daughter, Ellen Goldberg Tullos, in an interview with TMZ Sports. “He would be fine with that. It’s the type of guy he was. I think he would be happy to let him use his number, and honored with that as well.”
Tullos noted the “wonderful tribute” there is for her father in Arizona.
If Watt wants the number, the family has no concerns.
“He has my blessings and I’m sure my father would be more than delighted for him to carry it on.”
The Cardinals have not yet announced what number Watt will wear.
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