[Le bon numéro] #97: Bryant Young, the bay area mountain

A player is recognizable by his style of play, his personality, his physique… but also his number. Sign of a strong attachment, players often keep the same number (if possible) when they change teams, and it sometimes becomes a communication tool.

During 99 episodes, we will talk about the best players by number in the NFL. With each time a holder and a substitute.

In this 97th episode, two linemen.

Titulaire : Bryant Young (DL, San Francisco 49ers 1994-2007)

The 49ers had several good times, in the 80s of course, but also in the 90s. If Steve Young and Jerry Rice were the stars of the team, the defense was not left out and in the first rank stood Bryant Young. Chosen in the 7th pick of the 1994 draft, the former Fighting Irish quickly made a name for himself in the NFL.

NFL champion in his first year (as a starter), Young will start for more than a decade, playing 208 games with the Niners, only Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Rice have done better. Racking up 89.5 career sacks and being a force against the run and the pass, Young was adored by fans as he was so reliable.

Recent Hall of Famer, the quadruple All pro and Hall of Famer, he ticks all the boxes to make a fine holder in this article.

Remplaçant : La’Roi Glover (DT, Oakland Raiders 1996, New Orleans Saints 1997-2001, Dallas Cowboys 2002-05, Saint-Louis Rams 2006-08)

There are players who have a linear career. Not La’Roi Glover. Chosen in the 166th choice by the Raiders, Glover evolved only one season before being thanked and going to play in Barcelona in the spring. He will reveal himself the following year in the jersey of the Saints, where he will obtain the first of his four All pro selections in 1998.

Six-time Pro Bowler, Glover will continue a rich career of 83.5 sacks and 557 tackles with the Cowboys, before ending his career in Saint-Louis. If his career is statistically rich, the lack of playoff campaigns (only 2) harms his global influence, which only offers him the place of substitute.

Mentions : Simeon Rice (DE), Calvin Pace (DE), Cornelius Bennett (LB), Geno Atkins (DT), Dan Saleaumua (DL), Patrick Kerney (DE)

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