About two weeks after Marvin Harrison Jr. was selected fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL draft, BJ Ojulari encountered a dilemma that struck at the core of his collegiate identity. Arizona's equipment manager, Jeff Schwimmer, sent Ojulari an unexpected message, addressing a budding conflict over jersey numbers. Both Harrison Jr. and Ojulari had donned the number 18 during their college careers—Harrison Jr. with the Ohio State Buckeyes, and Ojulari with the LSU Tigers.
A Symbol of Excellence
At LSU, the number 18 jersey is more than just a number. It represents a legacy of character, academic excellence, and leadership. Ojulari wore it with pride during his final season, a year that saw LSU claim the SEC Western Division title. "It meant everything to me. It was really important to me," Ojulari reflected on what the number signified during his time with the Tigers.
The honor of wearing number 18 is a significant accolade, one that marked Ojulari as the best all-around player on his team. When the conflict over the jersey number arose, it was clear that this was not just a superficial decision for him. However, the same could be said for Marvin Harrison Jr., whose attachment to the number 18 traced back to his own college years.
From High School Rivals to Team Mates
Interestingly, the history between Ojulari and Harrison Jr. extends beyond their college years. The two had faced off on the high school gridiron in 2019, with Ojulari playing for Marietta High School and Harrison Jr. representing St. Joseph's Prep. Their paths have been interwoven for years, leading up to this pivotal moment of shared purpose and camaraderie.
Resolving the Conflict
The two players initiated a dialogue over text and phone to discuss the jersey number impasse. Despite the sentimental value attached to his number, Ojulari made a magnanimous decision to yield the number 18 jersey to Harrison Jr. "It wasn’t a hard decision," Ojulari explained. "We was just chopping it up. We got to talking about the number."
This act of generosity came with no financial exchange, underscoring the genuine respect and team-first mentality that both players hold. "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. recounted, reflecting the mutual respect between the two athletes.
A New Chapter
For Ojulari, this decision ushered in a new chapter as he chose the number 9 for his Cardinals jersey. Although he will no longer wear 18, he remains deeply appreciative of the time he wore 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 shared.
He also emphasized the importance of team success and the role Harrison Jr. will play in achieving it. "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, showcasing his unwavering commitment to the Cardinals' success.
This story of conflict and resolution is a testament to the maturity and character of both players. As the new NFL season approaches, the Cardinals can look forward to the contributions of two standout rookies who have already shown a willingness to put the team above individual milestones. Whether it's Ojulari in number 9 or Harrison Jr. in number 18, both young men have set a tone of unity and selflessness that bodes well for their professional careers and the future of their team.