About two weeks after Marvin Harrison Jr. was selected fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals at the NFL draft, an unexpected message from Arizona's equipment manager, Jeff Schwimmer, set the stage for a notable gesture of sportsmanship. The message detailed a potential conflict over jersey numbers between Harrison Jr. and BJ Ojulari, both of whom had donned the number 18 during their collegiate careers—Harrison Jr. with the Ohio State Buckeyes and Ojulari with the LSU Tigers.
Background of the Number 18
The number 18 carries significant weight for BJ Ojulari. Awarded the number during his final season at LSU, it is a highly coveted honor given to the player who best embodies character, academics, and leadership traits. While sporting the number, Ojulari's efforts were instrumental in leading LSU to the SEC Western Division title—a testament to his influence on and off the field.
“It meant everything to me. It was really important to me,” Ojulari reflected on wearing the number 18. His performance earned him a place in LSU lore, making the decision to potentially give up the number a poignant one.
Interestingly, the roots of Harrison Jr. and Ojulari's competitive relationship extend back to 2019 when they faced off in high school—Ojulari representing Marietta High School and Harrison Jr. suiting up for St. Joseph's Prep.
The Jersey Number Dilemma
The exchange of messages and conversations between Ojulari and Harrison Jr. began shortly after Harrison Jr. was drafted. “We was just chopping it up. We got to talking about the number,” Ojulari emphasized. The camaraderie and mutual respect became apparent as they navigated the situation together.
Ultimately, Ojulari decided to give up the number 18 jersey for Harrison Jr. “It wasn’t a hard decision,” Ojulari stated, highlighting the ease with which he made the call. Their dialogue, characterized by respect and understanding, underscored the professional maturity of both young athletes.
A Gracious Act of Team Spirit
Ojulari’s decision to relinquish his cherished number was met with appreciation from Harrison Jr. “We had a great conversation. I can’t be more grateful and appreciative for him to allow me to get that number 18. I know it means a lot to him,” Harrison Jr. expressed, underscoring the depth of the gesture.
For Ojulari, the choice became clear when considering the broader team dynamics and goals. “He’s a great guy. I feel like he deserves it. He’s gonna be instrumental for us in the offensive strike. So, it was a no-brainer. The team comes first and whatever I can do to make us more successful, I’ll do,” he stated.
There was no exchange of money involved in this process, making Ojulari's act of giving even more heartfelt and genuine. His new jersey number will be 9, a shift that allows him to carve out a distinct identity within the Cardinals' lineup.
Legacy and Future
Despite giving up the number 18, Ojulari's connection to it remains profound. “It was such a blessing to have number 18, wearing number 18 my first year. I’m always gonna cherish that rookie jersey, just that number 18. So, it meant everything to me,” Ojulari reflected, indicating how valuable that symbol was during his formative year.
As both athletes begin their professional careers with the Arizona Cardinals, their mutual respect and the early example of teamwork set an encouraging tone for the future. Whether they’re wearing 18 or 9, their focus remains on contributing to the team's success and building a winning culture in Arizona.