About two weeks after the Arizona Cardinals selected Marvin Harrison Jr. fourth overall in the NFL draft, BJ Ojulari found himself entangled in an unexpected situation. The team's equipment manager, Jeff Schwimmer, reached out to Ojulari to discuss a potential conflict regarding jersey numbers.
Both Harrison Jr. and Ojulari had donned the number 18 during their college days—Harrison Jr. with the Ohio State Buckeyes and Ojulari with the LSU Tigers. For Ojulari, number 18 wasn't merely a number; it was a symbol of honor. During his final season at LSU, being awarded the number 18 represented a recognition of his character, academics, and leadership.
Number 18: A Coveted Symbol
At LSU, the number 18 jersey is a prestigious honor given to the player who exemplifies leadership and overall excellence. This tradition made Ojulari's attachment to the number even more profound, especially after leading LSU to win the SEC Western Division title while wearing it.
"It meant everything to me. It was really important to me," Ojulari remarked, highlighting the significance of the number in his journey. By the time he graduated from Marietta High School, Ojulari had already displayed the traits that would later earn him the coveted jersey at LSU.
Confronting the Jersey Dilemma
Ojulari and Harrison Jr.'s paths crossed much earlier in their careers. In 2019, they faced off in high school football, with Ojulari representing Marietta High School and Harrison Jr. suiting up for St. Joseph's Prep. Fast forward to their NFL days, and the two athletes found themselves having to address the same number conflict.
Initiating a candid dialogue over text and phone, the two discussed the weighty issue. While for many, this might have been a tense negotiation, both players approached it with mutual respect and understanding.
A Decision Paved with Mutual Respect
Despite the personal significance of the number 18 to Ojulari, he chose to accommodate Harrison Jr.'s preference without hesitation. "It wasn’t a hard decision," admitted Ojulari. No monetary exchange occurred, underscoring the character and sportsmanship of both players.
“We was just chopping it up. We got to talking about the number,” Ojulari explained. “He’s a great guy. I feel like he deserves it. He’s gonna be instrumental for us in the offensive strike. So, it was a no-brainer. The team comes first, and whatever I can do to make us more successful, I’ll do.”
Harrison Jr. expressed his gratitude wholeheartedly. “We had a great conversation. I can’t be more grateful and appreciative for him to allow me to get that number 18. I know it means a lot to him.”
The New Era
With Harrison Jr. now set to wear number 18, Ojulari smoothly transitioned to his new jersey number: 9. Despite the change, Ojulari carries no regret but rather takes pride in the act of team camaraderie.
Reflecting on his LSU days, Ojulari fondly remembered, “It was such a blessing to have number 18, wearing number 18 my first year. I’m always gonna cherish that rookie jersey, just that number 18. So, it meant everything to me.”
This episode, while seemingly a minor off-field issue, speaks volumes about the character, respect, and team spirit that both Harrison Jr. and Ojulari bring to the Arizona Cardinals. As they take to the field in their new numbers, the Cardinals fans can look forward to not just the performance of two exceptional athletes but also the deep-rooted values they represent.