About two weeks after Marvin Harrison Jr. was selected fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL draft, BJ Ojulari found himself at the center of an unexpected conversation. It was a message from Arizona's equipment manager, Jeff Schwimmer, detailing a potential conflict that had nothing to do with playbooks or game strategy but everything to do with jersey numbers.
Both Harrison Jr. and Ojulari had donned the number 18 during their collegiate careers—Harrison Jr. with the Ohio State Buckeyes and Ojulari with the LSU Tigers. The number held significant meaning for both players, but especially for Ojulari. In his final season at LSU, Ojulari was awarded the number 18, a prestigious honor given to the Tigers' standout player who best exemplifies character, academics, and leadership. With Ojulari wearing number 18, LSU clinched the SEC Western Division title, marking a memorable season.
Despite its significance, when faced with the decision, Ojulari chose to give up the number 18 jersey for Harrison Jr. "It wasn’t a hard decision," he admitted. This unexpected generosity reflects not only Ojulari's sportsmanship but also his teamwork ethos.
The duo's history extends beyond their college years. Back in high school, they were adversaries on the field, with Ojulari representing Marietta High School and Harrison Jr. suiting up for St. Joseph's Prep in 2019. This shared history lent a deeper layer to their eventual dialogue over jersey numbers. What began as an issue marked by collegiate pride and personal achievement soon transformed into a story of mutual respect.
“We was just chopping it up. We got to talking about the number,” recalled Ojulari. Their conversations took place over text and phone calls, leading to a resolution without any monetary exchange. "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," Ojulari explained.
Harrison Jr. was equally appreciative. “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. shared, underscoring the mutual respect between the two athletes.
As the new NFL season approaches, Ojulari will now take to the field wearing jersey number 9, a fresh chapter in his professional journey. Reflecting on his time with the number 18 jersey, Ojulari shared, “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, seemingly small in the grand scheme of a football team’s operations, highlights something profound about sports: even at the highest levels of competition, camaraderie and respect still hold immense value. For Ojulari and Harrison Jr., the number on the jersey may have been a point of contention, but resolving it demonstrated a level of maturity and sportsmanship that bodes well for their future endeavors with the Cardinals. And in a league often characterized by fierce competitiveness, gestures like Ojulari’s serve as a reminder of the humane side of sports.
As fans gear up to cheer for their favorite players in their newly assigned numbers, it's clear that both Ojulari and Harrison Jr. are entering the NFL with a foundation built on character and respect—qualities that undoubtedly will contribute to their growth and success on and off the field.