A Tale of Numbers: BJ Ojulari and Marvin Harrison Jr.’s Jersey Swap
The excitement surrounding the NFL draft often extends far beyond the selection process. For BJ Ojulari and Marvin Harrison Jr., two young talents drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, the true story began after their names were called. Roughly two weeks after Harrison Jr. was drafted fourth overall, Ojulari received a surprising message from Arizona's equipment manager, Jeff Schwimmer. The issue at hand: a conflict over jersey numbers.
Both Ojulari, a standout from LSU, and Harrison Jr., a star from Ohio State, had worn the number 18 during their collegiate careers. For Ojulari, this number was particularly significant. In his final season with the Tigers, he had earned the number 18 jersey, a coveted honor that LSU bestows upon the best all-around player who exemplifies character, academic dedication, and leadership. Under his leadership, LSU secured the SEC Western Division title, a testament to his impact on the field.
The significance of the number 18 to Ojulari was clear, as he noted, "It meant everything to me. It was really important to me." Yet, this number held its own weight for Harrison Jr., and the need for resolution was urgent.
A History of Competition
The connection between Ojulari and Harrison Jr. dates back to their high school days. In 2019, they faced off—Ojulari for Marietta High School and Harrison Jr. for St. Joseph's Prep. This shared history added another layer to their dynamic as they initiated a dialogue over text and phone to discuss the jersey number conflict.
During their conversation, both players displayed a level of maturity and mutual respect that is rarely seen in such competitive environments. Reflecting on their interaction, Ojulari shared, "We was just chopping it up. We got to talking about the number." He further elaborated, "It wasn’t a hard decision." The ultimate decision was that Ojulari would relinquish the number 18 jersey to Harrison Jr.
A Gesture of Team First
Clearly, no money exchanged hands in this process, underscoring the genuine nature of Ojulari's decision. His actions reflected a commitment to the team—a quality that coaches and teammates alike will undoubtedly value. "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," explained Ojulari, emphasizing his team-first mentality.
For Harrison Jr., the conversation was a testament to the kind of teammate Ojulari is. "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," Harrison Jr. said, recognizing Ojulari’s generous gesture.
A New Beginning
Ojulari will now sport the number 9 jersey, turning a new page in his football journey. Reflecting on the importance of his collegiate number, he stated, "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." While the number may change, Ojulari's spirit and determination remain unwavering.
As BJ Ojulari and Marvin Harrison Jr. prepare to take the field for the Arizona Cardinals, their story stands as a testament to camaraderie, mutual respect, and the sacrifices players are willing to make for the greater good of the team. The narrative of their jersey number conflict may be a small subplot in their burgeoning NFL careers, but it speaks volumes about their character and the type of teammates they'll be in the NFL.