A Ravens pass-rusher tried to sneakily take No. 55, Terrell Suggs’ number, for the 2023 season. He learned his lesson quickly.
Some NFL numbers are just untouchable. That’s what Baltimore Ravens’ second-year OLB David Ojabo had to learn the hard way.
This season, Ojabo was gunning for No. 55, the number he wore at Michigan, but that number has a very special place in the heart of the Ravens’ franchise.
It was the number Terrell Suggs wore for 16 seasons from 2003 to 2018 when he was part of that legendary, Super Bowl-winning defense and when he became the organization’s all-time leader in sacks (132.5).
So yeah, Ojabo isn’t getting it.
He had to try, though, and he detailed his conversation with Suggs and Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti about the possibility of switching numbers:
“Suggs not letting me. We had discussions, got Bisciotti involved a little bit, but that’s above me. He’s a legend. So I’m going to stick with 90. I had to try, but he’s not going for it.”
Ravens legend Terrell Suggs doesn’t want anyone touching No. 55
There’s only one No. 55 in Baltimore’s building, and that’s Suggs. Even though the Ravens don’t officially have retired numbers, there are some that are tacitly considered off-limits: Suggs’ number, Ray Lewis’ number (52), Jonathan Ogden’s number (75), and Ed Reed’s number (20).
It makes sense as to why Ojabo would want No. 55 for reasons separate from potentially staining Suggs’ legacy, but he ultimately had to respect the legend’s wishes.
Ojabo is lightyears away from reaching Suggs’ stature in the franchise, playing just two games in his rookie year in 2022 after recovering from an Achilles injury suffered during his pro day the March before the draft.
Even if Ojabo were hailed as the next great outside linebacker of this generation, Suggs probably still isn’t going to concede his number. Given Suggs’ undeniable impact on the Ravens throughout more than a decade’s worth of divisional rivalries, playoff games, and that 2013 glorious Super Bowl win, he has every reason not to.