About two weeks after Marvin Harrison Jr. was selected fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL draft, BJ Ojulari found himself in an unexpected situation. An email from Arizona's equipment manager, Jeff Schwimmer, detailed a potential conflict over jersey numbers and set off a chain of events that would highlight the character and leadership of both players.
A Shared Number and High School Rivalry
Both Harrison Jr. and Ojulari had donned the number 18 jersey during their collegiate careers—Harrison with the Ohio State Buckeyes and Ojulari with the LSU Tigers. The number held significant value to each player for different reasons. For Harrison Jr., it was a part of his journey at Ohio State; for Ojulari, the number symbolized a prestigious honor designated to the best all-around player for their character, academics, and leadership traits during his final season at LSU.
The story of these athletes intertwined long before they joined the NFL. In high school, they faced off against each other, with Ojulari playing for Marietta High School and Harrison Jr. suiting up for St. Joseph's Prep in 2019. Little did they know, their paths would cross again in the professional realm under different circumstances.
Ojulari’s Decision
Upon learning of the jersey number conflict, the two began an open dialogue over text and phone calls to resolve the issue amicably. Ojulari understood the significance of the number to Harrison Jr. and made the decision to offer it to his new teammate. "It meant everything to me. It was really important to me," Ojulari admitted, acknowledging the weight of his decision.
Despite the attachment to his number, Ojulari expressed a team-first mentality. "It wasn’t a hard decision," he revealed. "We was just chopping it up. We got to talking about the number." It was clear that for Ojulari, the greater good of the team came before personal accolades and honors.
A New Beginning
In a professional sports landscape where jersey numbers can sometimes become contentious, the resolution between Ojulari and Harrison Jr. was marked by mutual respect and gratitude. Harrison Jr. was particularly appreciative of 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," Harrison Jr. shared.
With Harrison Jr. taking up the number 18 jersey, Ojulari embraced a new identity on the field with the number 9. The selflessness shown by Ojulari did not go unnoticed. "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 said, highlighting the core of his decision-making process.
The gesture was made even more remarkable by the fact that no money exchanged hands in the process—an indication of the trust and camaraderie that are being built within this Cardinals team.
Legacy of Number 18
For Ojulari, giving up the number wasn’t about losing something, but about allowing a teammate to continue a cherished legacy while beginning a new chapter in his own career. "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 reflected.
The transition of jersey numbers signifies more than just a change in digits; it exemplifies the character and unity envisioned for the Arizona Cardinals. With both players now set in their new numbers, the focus shifts to their collective contributions on the field and the team’s pursuit of success in the upcoming season.