Retire #21 and #52?

What about #97?

Originally posted by crake49:

Originally posted by beatintina49:
They both have a strong case really but yeah I think gore has a better chance, how can a historic franchise not honor the all time leading rusher and great teammate like frank gore, he deserves it no question. Willis was my favorite 9er ever since his first game and you could make a case that he was the greatest defensive player we've ever had but did he do it long enough? Two more solid years I'd say no question about him either. f**kin sucks ass they're gone

Ronnie Lott says hello. Hall of Fame, 6 times first team all-pro (from three different positions), 10 pro bowls, 1st team all-80's, 2nd team all-90's, led the league in interceptions twice, 4 ints returned for TD's in the same season ('86).

Hello Ronnie! That's why I said make a case, I didn't say it as a straight up fact, willis imo was the best linebacker in the league for 6 straight years and made some ridiculous plays and absolutely brutal hits. But yeah Ronnie Lott redefined how the safety position is played so maybe willis #2 all time best 9ers defender? Either way they were both bad ass. I'm a youngin so I didn't really get to watch Lott live and in his prime.

Originally posted by beatintina49:

Originally posted by crake49:

Originally posted by beatintina49:
They both have a strong case really but yeah I think gore has a better chance, how can a historic franchise not honor the all time leading rusher and great teammate like frank gore, he deserves it no question. Willis was my favorite 9er ever since his first game and you could make a case that he was the greatest defensive player we've ever had but did he do it long enough? Two more solid years I'd say no question about him either. f**kin sucks ass they're gone

Ronnie Lott says hello. Hall of Fame, 6 times first team all-pro (from three different positions), 10 pro bowls, 1st team all-80's, 2nd team all-90's, led the league in interceptions twice, 4 ints returned for TD's in the same season ('86).

Hello Ronnie! That's why I said make a case, I didn't say it as a straight up fact, willis imo was the best linebacker in the league for 6 straight years and made some ridiculous plays and absolutely brutal hits. But yeah Ronnie Lott redefined how the safety position is played so maybe willis #2 all time best 9ers defender? Either way they were both bad ass. I'm a youngin so I didn't really get to watch Lott live and in his prime.

You wake up sore the next day watching Ronnie in his prime

Originally posted by beatintina49:
Hello Ronnie! That's why I said make a case, I didn't say it as a straight up fact, willis imo was the best linebacker in the league for 6 straight years and made some ridiculous plays and absolutely brutal hits. But yeah Ronnie Lott redefined how the safety position is played so maybe willis #2 all time best 9ers defender? Either way they were both bad ass. I'm a youngin so I didn't really get to watch Lott live and in his prime.

Don't get me wrong here. IMO, Willis was an absolute master of the game; great, great player who I think will be a first ballot Hall of Fame entry like Lott.

you can't retire any number that is being used by a good player.. thats why they are here, to play and perform good.. i don't think any numbers should be retired. its players who wear their numbers that remind us of them.. well i never seen anyone wear 34, 37, 39.. how can we be reminded of those players when no one wears their numbers.. those are cool numbers too.. 34, great RB number..

Sorry, I just don't see #21 being retired for Frank Gore when Roger Craig had more impact to the team than Frank did..

As for 52, I would not say to retire it as well.. but it would be compared to Pittsburgh's Rod Woodson's #26.. not retired but will also be rarely available..

Originally posted by ninerfan4life:
Heard Torrey Smith is going with #80 Reggie Bush with #21 and Borland is switching his number to #52

Heard Borland retired...

Honestly we all know P. Willy was working on a fantastic career, but Frank Gore was our work horse for 10 years . He'sthe franchises leading rush snd rushing TDs. I believe we should retire #21 but with Jed leading the way I don't think he will.

Originally posted by prime21:

Originally posted by Niners99:

I dont think you understand what "retiring a number" means...

The whole point of the honor is that your number is actually retired...

That would be like winning a million dollars, but being told you wont actually receive any money. But at least you won, right?

I completely understand what retiring a number means, but there are several teams who retire numbers and honor them in the staium but still allow certain numbers to be worn.

Thats not retiring a number. Its putting someone in the team HOF. Retiring a number means removing it from being worn ever again.

Originally posted by SFGiant49ers:

Originally posted by ninerfan4life:

Heard Torrey Smith is going with #80 Reggie Bush with #21 and Borland is switching his number to #52

Heard Borland retired...

He retired as #52

There is no vote by the media or public in retiring a #. I guess it's left to the owner or owners. Frank played 9 years and is the teams' all-time rushing leader. Patrick gave everything he had while he was here, he left early, that will play a consideration. Frank should be a no-brainier.

Originally posted by RishikeshA:

There is no vote by the media or public in retiring a #. I guess it's left to the owner or owners. Frank played 9 years and is the teams' all-time rushing leader. Patrick gave everything he had while he was here, he left early, that will play a consideration. Frank should be a no-brainier.

Craig should be a no brainier ...........

Its not "leaving early" if his feet gave out.

The media put this weird emphasis on the "religious" narrative, but he stated that he retired because of his feet. His work with his church will just become his new priority.

The average NFL career is around 4 years. 8 years feels early for a legendary player, but his body wasnt allowing him to be a good player anymore. The fact that he recognized that, and left the rest of the money on his deal on the table is something you rarely see.

Sometimes 49ers fans put me in total disbelief. The fact that SO many of you are saying Willis doesnt deserve to have his number retired, especially when he carried the defense during the crap years, shows what an ungrateful and uneducated fanbase we have.

For years the only reason this team was bearable, or even had a Pro Bowler, was because of Willis and Gore. To disrespect them by saying they dont deserve a retired number is crazy. Willis is the best LB in 49ers history. Gore is the best RB in 49ers history. "Didnt win a SB or an MVP" is not an acceptable answer.

we have 12 retired numbers out of 99. willis is the best ILB we weve ever had and a HOFer/outstanding representative for the 49ers. Gore is the franchise leader in every rushing category, if craig's or perry's number is retired Gore's definitely should be.

maybe

but I bet Jed waits till he have like 5 jerseys that need to be retired

he will then just have one retirement ceremony to honor all five