Last week, we found out what numbers many of the San Francisco 49ers rookies would be wearing during the team's three-day rookie minicamp. Those numbers will be sticking around through at least the rest of the offseason program. Obviously, they are subject to change after roster cuts ahead of Week 1.
Matt Barrows of The Athletic tweeted out several rookie jersey numbers, including select undrafted free agents. Missing from his tweet, however, was the number of the 49ers' fifth-round draft pick, cornerback Samuel Womack. The team announced that he will wear No. 26, last worn by cornerback Josh Norman.
Rookie roll call!@The99Athlete @TyDavisPrice @DGray_5 @SpencerB74 @SamW0mack @Nick_Zakelj31 @KaliaDavis20 @TCF5_ @brockpurdy13 pic.twitter.com/K2NGCwidu8
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 16, 2022
Speaking of the last 49ers players to wear the numbers of the 2022 draft class, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area provided a list, pointing out that Spencer Burford will wear No. 74—Joe Staley's old number. That created a bit of a reaction from fans on social media.
Yes, Spencer Burford is No. 74.
Just for fun, here are the last #49ers to wear those jerseys in a game:
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) May 16, 2022
14-K Joey Slye
26-CB Josh Norman
32-S Tavon Wilson
36-LB Marcell Harris
63-C Ben Garland
74-LT Joe Staley
86-WR River Cracraft
93-DT D.J. Jones
95-DL Kentavius Street
It is important to remember that the 49ers are moving away from retiring numbers. The team already has 12 retired numbers. Adding more to the list might create a problematic shortage down the road. Instead, the team honors past greats with its Ring of Honor at Levi's Stadium and the 49ers Hall of Fame.
The last retired jersey number was 80, belonging to the great Jerry Rice. San Francisco forever took that number out of rotation in 2010.
"Retiring a number requires a pretty Herculean effort to get there, which it should," 49ers CEO Jed York told The Athletic in 2019. "With a ring of honor, I think you can honor more players that way. Again, if there's a specific reason to retire somebody's jersey, it doesn't preclude you from doing that."
