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Anquan Boldin changes numbers out of respect for Calvin Johnson
Posted by Michael David Smith on July 31, 2016, 6:14 AM EDT
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New Lions receiver Anquan Boldin has worn No. 81 throughout his 13-year NFL career, but in Detroit he’ll wear No. 80.
Boldin said after arriving in Lions camp that he didn’t even ask for No. 81 because it’s the number Calvin Johnson wore before retiring this year. Although the Lions haven’t retired Johnson’s jersey, Boldin didn’t think anyone should wear it.
“For me, it’s a respect thing,” Boldin said. “I think everybody knows what Calvin Johnson means to this community, to this organization. So for me, I didn’t even want to go down the road. So just out of respect, I didn’t even ask about it.”
That’s a wise decision: By showing respect to a franchise icon, Boldin is earning respect in Detroit.
The guy's just always been a class act,, not to mention a damn good receiver and a guy we passed on a couple of times! Too bad we didn't draft him when we had the chance; Hell, he could've even walked to the podium and said "Screw Howard Twilley...I'm wearing #81!!!"
Posted by Michael David Smith on July 31, 2016, 6:14 AM EDT
Getty ImagesNew Lions receiver Anquan Boldin has worn No. 81 throughout his 13-year NFL career, but in Detroit he’ll wear No. 80.
Boldin said after arriving in Lions camp that he didn’t even ask for No. 81 because it’s the number Calvin Johnson wore before retiring this year. Although the Lions haven’t retired Johnson’s jersey, Boldin didn’t think anyone should wear it.
“For me, it’s a respect thing,” Boldin said. “I think everybody knows what Calvin Johnson means to this community, to this organization. So for me, I didn’t even want to go down the road. So just out of respect, I didn’t even ask about it.”
That’s a wise decision: By showing respect to a franchise icon, Boldin is earning respect in Detroit.
The guy's just always been a class act,, not to mention a damn good receiver and a guy we passed on a couple of times! Too bad we didn't draft him when we had the chance; Hell, he could've even walked to the podium and said "Screw Howard Twilley...I'm wearing #81!!!"
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