The Indianapolis Colts haven’t formally retired the No. 88, but you understand why they aren’t handing the number out to random players.
Hakeem Nicks isn’t a random player, but he isn’t Hall of Fame worthy either. The Colts’ official team website announced that Nicks, the big time free agent acquisition who wore No. 88 with the Giants and at UNC, will instead wear No. 14 with the Colts.
Marvin Harrison, of course wore the No. 88 during his 13 seasons in Indianapolis. Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey wore the No. 88 as well for nine seasons in Baltimore.
The Colts signed Nicks to a one-year, $3.5 million contract in March. When he arrived he made it clear that he wanted the number.
“Everybody knows I love those eights on my chest, but we’ll have to see how that pans out,” he said in a conference call with local media.