About two weeks after Marvin Harrison Jr. was selected fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL draft, BJ Ojulari received an unexpected message from Arizona's equipment manager, Jeff Schwimmer. The message detailed a potential conflict over jersey numbers. Both Harrison Jr. and Ojulari had worn the number 18 during their collegiate careers—Harrison Jr. with the Ohio State Buckeyes and Ojulari with the LSU Tigers.
A Coveted Number
During his final season at LSU, Ojulari was awarded the number 18, a highly coveted honor given to the best all-around player for their character, academics, and leadership traits. Carrying the weight of that honor, Ojulari led LSU to the SEC Western Division title, cementing his legacy at the school.
“It meant everything to me. It was really important to me,” said Ojulari, reflecting on the significance of wearing number 18.
High School Rivals, NFL Teammates
This wasn't the first time Ojulari and Harrison Jr. had crossed paths. In 2019, they faced each other in high school, with Ojulari representing Marietta High School and Harrison Jr. suiting up for St. Joseph's Prep. Now, both athletes find themselves reunited on the professional stage, bringing their rich histories with them.
The potential conflict arose when both players joined the Cardinals, leading Ojulari and Harrison Jr. to initiate a dialogue over text and phone to discuss the jersey number issue.
Respect and Resolution
Despite his deep connection to the number 18, Ojulari made the decision to give up the jersey for Harrison Jr. “It wasn’t a hard decision,” said Ojulari. “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 for Ojulari’s gesture. “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,” he said.
New Beginnings
With Harrison Jr. donning the number 18, Ojulari has chosen a new number—9—for his NFL career. He remains appreciative of his time wearing 18 and the memories attached to it. “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,” Ojulari acknowledged.
In an era where professional athletes often demand substantial compensation for jersey numbers, Ojulari’s selflessness stands out. No money exchanged hands in the process, highlighting the camaraderie and mutual respect between the two young stars.
The resolution of this jersey dilemma speaks volumes about the character of both players and sets a positive tone for their careers with the Cardinals. As they prepare for the upcoming season, the mutual understanding and respect they have shown each other could well translate into on-field chemistry, benefiting the team as a whole.
Only time will tell how significant these gestures of goodwill will prove to be, but one thing is certain—both BJ Ojulari and Marvin Harrison Jr. have already demonstrated the kind of leadership and team spirit that any NFL franchise would be proud to foster.