Chiefs Asked Shields And Gonzalez For Permission To Use Numbers

by Joel Thorman on May 4, 2010 5:13 PM CDT in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Season

Over the weekend the Chiefs had a bunch of rookies and tryout players in camp. Since they all needed a jersey -- and a jersey number -- the Chiefs issued them numbers. Two of those numbers -- #68 and #88 -- held a special place in the heart of Kansas City.

Of course they are they numbers of Will Shields and Tony Gonzalez.

Well, as Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star noticed over the weekend, the Chiefs issues #68 and #88 to two players at the rookie minicamp. One was an undrafted free agent signed to the team (DL Garrett Brown) and the other to a tryout player.

As it turns out, the Chiefs placed a call to both Will Shields and Tony Gonzalez seeking permission to use the number, according to Teicher. Both players gave them their blessing. Shields said it was done in a "class-act way."

''A number is only a number," Shields told Teicher. "It served me well when I played but now it's someone else's turn. There's got to be someone wearing it before me and there's got to be someone wearing it afterward.''

I'm glad this is the way it turned out. I suspected the Chiefs would want to get their side of the story out there since it considerably changes the focus of the story.

(H/T WtexKC)

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I know we can't yet with Gonzalez but why not just retire Shields number already?

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on May 4, 2010 5:14 PM CDT reply actions

doesn't he have to be in Canton to have his number retired?

i’m sure when that happens, Arrowhead will make a BIG f’n deal about Will Shields.

by bansky on May 4, 2010 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Club policy

Don’t retire numbers until they’re in the HOF.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on May 4, 2010 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Do they retire all #s of Chief HOF'rs?

I’m under the impression that they do.

Consistency is only a value if you are not a screw up.

by schraggyj on May 4, 2010 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions

i think the Canton HOF's, yes

Chiefs HOF, no

by bansky on May 4, 2010 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd imagine it would be the players choice as well

The is one exception to those rule however, Joe Delaney.

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by Scaryclouds on May 4, 2010 8:32 PM CDT up reply actions

I miss Tony G. He was my favorite player since DT... :(

I hate seeing him in that god damned Falcons jersey…

God typed "iddqd" before creating Jason Heyward.

by EyePod on May 4, 2010 5:19 PM CDT reply actions

I remeber "trading-up" ahead of Dallas to get TG

by gregorychief on May 5, 2010 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Classy

Before you build yourself up, you must tear somebody else down.

by Zennedy on May 4, 2010 5:24 PM CDT reply actions

soooooo...

it looks like the current front office DOES care about past KC players, they just don’t feel the need to make a big deal about it and turn it into a public spectacle.

by bansky on May 4, 2010 5:31 PM CDT reply actions

If its got to be done this is the way to do it.

A classy move by the team and Tony and Will. Once they’re in the HoF no will wear them again.

Cry Havoc! And let slip the Chiefs Defense of War!!!

by nateforchiefs on May 4, 2010 5:42 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

yep

"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli

by Steve_Chiefs on May 4, 2010 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions

i guess its pretty classy but in my opinion i would never let even

the man upstairs where an 88 jersey from kc. unless he granted us atleast a playoff win then he can wear it. hahaah

And if god is in a bargaining mood he can grant us a super bowl ring for a signed tony g jersey .

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on May 4, 2010 5:52 PM CDT reply actions

Even if I was in charge..

I wouldn’t of given these numbers away. I realise its ok with both of them but I couldn’t do that to these great players.

by Chiefs190 on May 4, 2010 6:01 PM CDT reply actions

I don't see the big deal

Like Shields said, it’s just a number. It’s also quite possible these guys don’t even make the team. If they do, I imagine they’ll assign them different numbers then.

by bh13 on May 4, 2010 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions

This is another reason I love the Chiefs

Pure Class

Would ya like a free NANAA!

by Jazzy Megalodon on May 4, 2010 6:20 PM CDT reply actions

An when they get into the Hall... Retire them

Would ya like a free NANAA!

by Jazzy Megalodon on May 4, 2010 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Great here come the tampering rumors

Pioli can’t legally contact Gonzalez. Given the relationship between Pioli and Dmitroff, I am sure this won’t be an issue, but we should here from Mike Florio about it soon.

by Nick Britt on May 4, 2010 7:14 PM CDT reply actions

I feel kinda wierd about it, honestly

i don’t mind it when it’s OTAs or training camp, but when final roster cuts are made, I’m gonna have a hard time adjusting to seeing another name besides Gonzalez above the number 88 when he regular season starts……but that’s just me

and the Chiefs put the HAMMER DOWN!!!!

by reedeasy on May 4, 2010 10:57 PM CDT reply actions

both those numbers will be retired in time, as both will make HoF in Canton

and both will be first round, first time of eligibility

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by upamtn on May 4, 2010 11:05 PM CDT reply actions