When Charles Woodson joined the Oakland Raiders back in 1998, there was some minor drama regarding his jersey number. Woodson donned No. 2 en route to earning a Heisman Trophy at Michigan. He wanted a different number (24) with the Raiders. But it was also a number wore by all-time great cornerback Willie Brown.
The back and forth between the two at that time was more lighthearted than anything else. Who was more deserving of being the real No. 24? Following Woodson’s Hall of Fame worthy 18-year NFL career (11 with the Raiders), that debate is still raging. Well, at the very least in the minds of the two involved.
Now, with Oakland native Marshawn Lynch coming out of retirement to join the Raiders, this discussion is back in the headlines. Fortunately for Lynch, it looks like Woodson has no problem with him wearing that No. 24 on his jersey.
“I’m excited about it for Marshawn to have a chance to come home and play in front of friends and family,” Woodson said, via ESPN. “That number 24, that’s something special with the Raiders. I don’t think there’s anybody more worthy than Marshawn to wear that number.”
Woodson remains one of the most-popular players in Raiders franchise history. He starred on the team from 1998-2005 before moving on to the Green Bay Packers. The nine-time Pro Bowler would then finish up his NFL career with the Raiders from 2013-15. Needless to say, he’s almost like royalty for Raiders fans.
Though, Lynch himself might end up taking over that mantle and running with it (literally). His decision to come out of retirement after one year off has put the Raiders in prime position to compete for a Super Bowl this upcoming season. Should that happen, especially with the Raiders moving to Las Vegas here soon, a third member of the debate about who wore No. 24 better will be born.