This week, the Buffalo Bills allowed running back Senorise Perry to wear O.J. Simpson’s number 32 for the first time since Simpson was traded. It’s been 50 years since another player wore the number, and I give my take on whether it’s the right move or not.
Also in this episode, we discuss Brian Daboll’s play-calling evolution from 2018 to 2019, the number of wide receivers, potential pass-rusher targets during the next couple months, and we include a pretty nice rant from listener B.J. in North Carolina when he forgets to ask a question.
Featured Question
“What should the Buffalo Bills have done with O.J. Simpson’s number 32 jersey?”
I’ve been very consistent with this stance since joining the ranks of Buffalo Bills bloggers: The biggest tragedy in team history is not the lost Super Bowls or the playoff droughts, it’s the rightful inability to celebrate Simpson’s accomplishments.
Simpson is on the Wall of Fame and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His number should have been retired well before he was accused of double homicide in the mid-1990s. Ralph Wilson did not like retiring numbers. That’s why you’ve seen the retirements the last two years of Bruce Smith’s 78 and Thurman Thomas’s 34. Only Jim Kelly’s 12 was previously retired.
Since his accusation, acquittal, and subsequent armed robbery conviction, the Bills have distanced themselves from Simpson. Buffalo rightfully never retired his jersey number after 1994. They kept him off the 50th anniversary team. They don’t put him in highlight packages. All of that is correct.
I think they shouldn’t have given out his number. Don’t officially retire it. Don’t bring him and his family to town for a circus ceremony. Don’t give it to a fringe roster player.
Listen to the podcast for the rest of my answer. I spent a lot of time choosing my words in the podcast so as not to be too divisive. It’s seven minutes worth your time.
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