About two weeks after Marvin Harrison Jr. was selected fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals at the NFL draft, BJ Ojulari received an unexpected message from Arizona's equipment manager, Jeff Schwimmer. The message detailed a potential conflict over jersey numbers, a situation many teammates have encountered, but one uniquely significant to these two players.
Both Harrison Jr. and Ojulari had worn the number 18 during their respective collegiate careers—Harrison Jr. starred for the Ohio State Buckeyes while Ojulari excelled with the LSU Tigers. The number held particular sentimental value for Ojulari. During his final season at LSU, he was awarded the number 18, a highly coveted honor signifying the best all-around player for their character, academics, and leadership traits. Under his leadership, LSU clinched the SEC Western Division title.
The History Behind Number 18
For Ojulari, the number 18 jersey was more than just a piece of fabric; it was a testament to his hard work and his significant contributions to the team. "It meant everything to me. It was really important to me," Ojulari admitted. These emotions tied to the number underscore a story rich with tradition and personal achievement both on and off the field.
Interestingly, the shared number 18 wasn't the first crossing of paths for Harrison Jr. and Ojulari. The two had competed against each other back in high school in 2019—Ojulari for Marietta High School and Harrison Jr. for St. Joseph's Prep. This early encounter set the stage for a professional reunion and an ensuing dialogue that became necessary when jersey number assignments came into question.
Negotiations and Mutual Respect
When faced with the number conflict, both athletes showed remarkable maturity and respect. Ojulari and Harrison Jr. began conversations over text and phone. "We was just chopping it up. We got to talking about the number," said Ojulari, recounting the respectful dialogue they shared. Despite the significance of the number to Ojulari, he graciously decided to yield it to Harrison Jr.
Ultimately, Ojulari made the selfless decision to relinquish the number 18 jersey to Harrison Jr. “It wasn’t a hard decision,” Ojulari stated, demonstrating the team-first attitude. Harrison Jr. expressed his gratitude, acknowledging what the number meant to Ojulari. “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," he said.
No Trade, Just Team Spirit
In a sports landscape where jersey numbers often change hands for substantial sums, this exchange stood out as particularly honorable. No money exchanged hands in the process. Ojulari emphasized the value of team cohesion over personal accolades. "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 declared.
Ojulari's new jersey number will be 9, signifying a new chapter in his career while cherishing the memories and accolades tied to number 18 at LSU. The importance of that number to him was undeniable. “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.
The Bigger Picture
This episode is more than a tale of two players and their jersey numbers. It’s a narrative woven from threads of mutual respect, tradition, and a genuine team-first mentality. Both Ojulari and Harrison Jr. have demonstrated qualities that go beyond athletic talent. Their ability to engage in open dialogue, make selfless decisions, and maintain a keen focus on the team’s success speaks volumes about their character and leadership.
In professional sports, where individual achievements often eclipse team spirit, this story stands as a refreshing reminder of what truly matters. As both players prepare to take the field in their respective new jerseys, the Arizona Cardinals can rest assured that they have drafted not just remarkable athletes, but exemplary teammates as well.