Back in January, when Joe Namath joined Tiki & Tierney just around the time the Jets were rumored to be looking to bring in a veteran quarterback, “Broadway Joe” endorsed Aaron Rodgers and even gave him permission to wear No. 12, which is retired in New York for Namath, if he joined Gang Green:
“I’m a big Rodgers fan, and I noticed he wears No. 12 – if we get him on our side, is he still going to be wearing No. 12? Because that was retired many years ago,” Namath told T&T. “Oh yeah, I’d sure like Rodgers, if he’s there, I want him to wear his number! We establish ourselves and have a real respect for our numbers. Aaron Rodgers, gosh almighty, it’d be great to have him in New York!”
Last week, when Rodgers appeared on The Pat McAfee Show to announce his intention to play for the Jets, he had this to say about that:
“Listen, with respect to the emotions, I think there will be time for those conversations down the road,” Rodgers said. “Today was a day to talk about the past and give an update about what’s going on. I’ve seen what Joe said, but there will be time to talk about it down the road.”
Well, Monday, it was another former Jets quarterback’s turn to weigh in – and Boomer Esiason doesn’t believe that Rodgers, if and when he finally gets here, would wear No. 12.
“I can guarantee you he's not wearing No. 12," Boomer said. "He's not a dummy, he's one of the smartest guys who has ever played, and understands history and who Joe Namath is and why that number is so important."
In saying that, Boomer invoked a memory of Len Dawson offering to let Joe Montana wear No. 16 when Montana went from San Francisco to Kansas City, but Joe refused.
"Joe Montana said no, that's your number and history, so I'll wear a different number," Boomer recalled.
Related
So what number would/could Rodgers wear?
"Aaron is either going to wear No. 8, which he wore in college – although he’d have to buy that off of Elijah Moore, assuming he’s still here,” Boomer said, “or he’ll go with No. 10, which is available because Braxton Berrios got cut. So it's either 8 or 10, but it won’t be No. 12; that'd be like someone wearing 12 in Packers history after he’s gone."
“He gave a wishy-washy answer to the McAfee guys on that,” Gio responded. “I know you’ve been waiting to get your jersey, so why don't you get him to just send it to you?"
“Maybe he’ll change it on me," Boomer shot back, "but I believe it’s 8 or 10. He'll respect the history and what Joe Namath accomplished.”
Hopefully Boomer, and the Jets' fan base, find out soon!
Follow WFAN's morning team on Twitter: @7BOOMERESIASON, @GioWFAN, @Alsboringtweets, @JerryRecco, and @WFANMornings
Listen live to WFAN via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker
Follow WFAN on Social Media:
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch