Arkansas to retire Bill Clinton’s “number”
By Jeff Adcox
The Arkansas Razorbacks are planning to retire the second jersey in team history. Only this time, it won’t be an actual player.
According to ESPN, the Razorbacks are going to retire the symbolic jersey of former President Bill Clinton.
"“Well, they’re celebrating the 20th anniversary of Arkansas winning the national championship when I was President,” Clinton told an ESPN reporter. “So they said that I was their sixth man and they wanted to put a No. 42 jersey because I was the 42nd President, which I thought was really nice.”"
The plan to retire number 42 was confirmed by the school’s athletic department, but a date for the ceremony has not been set.
The only other player in Razorback history to have his jersey retired is Sidney Moncrief. He is the school’s second leading scorer and leading rebounder.
Not to create any controversy, but at least one former player wishes the school would retire more actual player numbers in addition to the Clinton “number.”
Scotty Thurman, who gave Arkansas the lead in the final minute of the national championship game, explained his thoughts to the Arkansas News Bureau.
"“I think it would probably be even much more exciting if we can start to have some of the former greats to be able to have their names put in the rafters as well,” said Thurman. “So hopefully this will be something to get that jump started. I mean, I love the President, the former President and all, but he never scored any baskets here. So I think it’s more important for some of those guys that helped pave the way for this program to be great to be recognized as well.”"