The Indianapolis Colts have had legendary players in the last two decades but haven’t retired many numbers. What numbers should be retired?
After a player dominates a league with one franchise for many years, the team is typically forever indebted to them and finds as many ways as possible to honor them. Sometimes it’s lifetime tickets, induction into the team’s ring of honor, or retiring the player’s jersey number.
A franchise retiring a number is usually the biggest honor a player can receive aside from being inducted into the Hall of Fame. It’s also something the Indianapolis Colts haven’t done a lot of. To date, the Colts have only retired eight numbers.
However, only one of those players played with the franchise in Indianapolis, the rest played pre-1984 when the team was still in Baltimore.
The eight players are Peyton Manning, Johnny Unitas, Buddy Young, Lenny Moore, Art Donovan, Jim Parker, Raymond Berry, and Gino Marchetti. Of those eight, all but Buddy Young has been inducted into Canton.
The Colts have surely had more Hall of Fame-caliber players play in Indianapolis and some of them deserve to have their number retired. Here’s a look at four players from the franchise’s time in Indy that deserve to have their jersey numbers retired.
Colts should retire Dwight Freeney’s No. 93
When Indianapolis announced rookie numbers for the 2022 Draft class, fans saw that defensive tackle Eric Johnson was given No. 93. This reprised a discussion of whether No. 93 should be retired or not, as it wasn’t the first time a Colts player wore it since Dwight Freeney left the team.
The answer is yes, No. 93 should be retired. Freeney joined Indy in 2002 after being selected in the first round of the Draft. As a rookie, he led the league in forced fumbles and tackles for a loss while also adding 13 sacks.
He was an immediate impact player in Indy and remained dominant for the Colts for 11 seasons. He was a part of the culture change that helped Indianapolis win Super Bowl 41.
He was an elite pass rusher and special defender, making it to seven Pro Bowls during his time in Indianapolis. He is second in franchise history in sacks with 107.5 and forced fumbles with 44.
Freeney is a legendary Indianapolis player that should be in Canton soon and also one that should have his jersey number retired by his franchise.