Chapman_is_Gone said:

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Jeff Faraudo in Sports Illustrated has written "Cal Athletics: The Best Bears to Wear Every Uniform Number, From 0 Through 99."

Kinda fun. I think he did a solid job, especially since he had the courage to go pretty far back in time (to at least 1938). He doesn't specify how much weight he gave to success in the pros vs. success in college alone. It's hard to separate the two.

My only compliant is it seems he wanted to have a player at every number, and also a minimum number of candidates for each number (generally speaking). This results in some weak picks IMO (mainly in the #60-#99 range), as well as some guys mentioned like Monty Buckley, Max Zhang, and Pat Barnes, who frankly, don't belong on this list. No offense to those guys -- Buckley in particular was one of my favorite Cal players. I think it would have been more fun to have "No one worthy" at a few numbers, if them's the facts.

#7: Is Boller really the best #7 we've ever had?

#21: I think #21 might be our most impressive number of all time: Lamond Murray, Sean Lampley, Keenan Allen, Jeff Kent, etc...it's hard to top that list. Anyone have a number that beats #21?

#27: Ashtyn Davis is good, but it's hard to believe we haven't had anyone better at #27 in nearly 100 years.

#34: I think a strong argument could be made that Anderson belongs in front of Vereen.

#53 and #71: These guys need to prove themselves before showing up on this list. Maybe Faraudo was getting tired by this point.

#65, #68, #78, #85, #90, #93, #96, and #98: No offense to the guys listed, but surely we can do better. Faraudo had run out of gas at this point.

#94: Eff this guy.

https://www.si.com/college/cal/other-sports/cals-best-at-every-number

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The Athletic did a similar exercise. One for the best college footballers of all time (from 1-99) and one for the best college basketball players (not every number, obviously)

Cal had two listings.

Richter 67
Kidd 5

Addendum...

The Athletic just posted the best NFL players of the Super Bowl era (1-99). No Cal alums made the list.

HearstMining said:

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Does anybody know what number Proverb Jacobs wore? He was an offensive lineman 1956-57 and went on to play in the NFL/AFL for several years. As a player, he was before my time, but was my 7th grade PE teacher in 1967 at Garfield Jr High in Berkeley. A very impressive guy to a 12-year-old.

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#68. You were fortunate to know him. A great football player, and a man of great character as well.

71Bear said:

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HearstMining said:

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Does anybody know what number Proverb Jacobs wore? He was an offensive lineman 1956-57 and went on to play in the NFL/AFL for several years. As a player, he was before my time, but was my 7th grade PE teacher in 1967 at Garfield Jr High in Berkeley. A very impressive guy to a 12-year-old.

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77

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77 was Proverb's number when he played for the Raiders. When he played for the Eagles, it was 67. At Cal, he wore number 68.

First off, Johnny Olszweski wore #36 at Cal, not "0", I believe. I did see a photo of him wearing #0 on his Washington Redskins jersey, but I don't know if that was a game jersey. Jackie Jensen also wore #36 at Cal.

Sticking to football, I'd add some Cal greats not mentioned ( I may have missed some of the ones posted) so far:

#4. Johnny Meek, All-American QB on Cal's undefeated '37 Thunder Team, ahead of Russell White.

#12. Paul Larson, first team All-American QB, who led the nation in total offense, and led the Cal team as QB, placekicker, kick returner, and as a defensive back, led the team in interceptions. As much as I love Joe Roth, (and Joe was the better passer) Larson was the better football player to wear #12. Also, Pete Schabarum, HB on Pappy's Rose Bowl teams.

#18. Adimchinobe Echemandu, RB

#23. Sam Williams, QB, HB, DB on Pappy's teams

#30. Dick Erickson, QB in Cal 1949 Rose Bowl

#31. John Tuggle, RB

#36 Johnny Olzsewski, RB All-American

#68. Proverb Jacobs, T

#88. Vard Stockton, G '37 Thunder Team All American. Also, Mike White, End

#89. Nick Harris, Punter, All-American. Also, Jim Carmichael, End

#99 Perry Schwartz, End, '37 Thunder Team All-American

And of course, Brick Muller. Anyone know his number?

71Bear said:

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HearstMining said:

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Does anybody know what number Proverb Jacobs wore? He was an offensive lineman 1956-57 and went on to play in the NFL/AFL for several years. As a player, he was before my time, but was my 7th grade PE teacher in 1967 at Garfield Jr High in Berkeley. A very impressive guy to a 12-year-old.

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77

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In 1956 Proverb wore #72 and in 1957 he wore #69. He only lettered in 1957.

SFCityBear said:

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First off, Johnny Olszweski wore #36 at Cal, not "0", I believe. I did see a photo of him wearing #0 on his Washington Redskins jersey, but I don't know if that was a game jersey. Jackie Jensen also wore #36 at Cal.

Sticking to football, I'd add some Cal greats not mentioned ( I may have missed some of the ones posted) so far:

#4. Johnny Meek, All-American QB on Cal's undefeated '37 Thunder Team, ahead of Russell White.

#12. Paul Larson, first team All-American QB, who led the nation in total offense, and led the Cal team as QB, placekicker, kick returner, and as a defensive back, led the team in interceptions. As much as I love Joe Roth, (and Joe was the better passer) Larson was the better football player to wear #12. Also, Pete Schabarum, HB on Pappy's Rose Bowl teams.

#18. Adimchinobe Echemandu, RB

#23. Sam Williams, QB, HB, DB on Pappy's teams

#30. Dick Erickson, QB in Cal 1949 Rose Bowl

#31. John Tuggle, RB

#36 Johnny Olzsewski, RB All-American

#68. Proverb Jacobs, T

#88. Vard Stockton, G '37 Thunder Team All American. Also, Mike White, End

#89. Nick Harris, Punter, All-American. Also, Jim Carmichael, End

#99 Perry Schwartz, End, '37 Thunder Team All-American

And of course, Brick Muller. Anyone know his number?

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I don't think players wore numbers in the Muller era.

SFCityBear said:

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71Bear said:

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HearstMining said:

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Does anybody know what number Proverb Jacobs wore? He was an offensive lineman 1956-57 and went on to play in the NFL/AFL for several years. As a player, he was before my time, but was my 7th grade PE teacher in 1967 at Garfield Jr High in Berkeley. A very impressive guy to a 12-year-old.

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77

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77 was Proverb's number when he played for the Raiders. When he played for the Eagles, it was 67. At Cal, he wore number 68.

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In 1956 Proverb wore #72 and in 1957 he wore #69. He only lettered in 1957.

71Bear said:

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SFCityBear said:

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First off, Johnny Olszweski wore #36 at Cal, not "0", I believe. I did see a photo of him wearing #0 on his Washington Redskins jersey, but I don't know if that was a game jersey. Jackie Jensen also wore #36 at Cal.

Sticking to football, I'd add some Cal greats not mentioned ( I may have missed some of the ones posted) so far:

#4. Johnny Meek, All-American QB on Cal's undefeated '37 Thunder Team, ahead of Russell White.

#12. Paul Larson, first team All-American QB, who led the nation in total offense, and led the Cal team as QB, placekicker, kick returner, and as a defensive back, led the team in interceptions. As much as I love Joe Roth, (and Joe was the better passer) Larson was the better football player to wear #12. Also, Pete Schabarum, HB on Pappy's Rose Bowl teams.

#18. Adimchinobe Echemandu, RB

#23. Sam Williams, QB, HB, DB on Pappy's teams

#30. Dick Erickson, QB in Cal 1949 Rose Bowl

#31. John Tuggle, RB

#36 Johnny Olzsewski, RB All-American

#68. Proverb Jacobs, T

#88. Vard Stockton, G '37 Thunder Team All American. Also, Mike White, End

#89. Nick Harris, Punter, All-American. Also, Jim Carmichael, End

#99 Perry Schwartz, End, '37 Thunder Team All-American

And of course, Brick Muller. Anyone know his number?

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I don't think players wore numbers in the Muller era.

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Muller wore #8

SFCityBear said:

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First off, Johnny Olszweski wore #36 at Cal, not "0", I believe. I did see a photo of him wearing #0 on his Washington Redskins jersey, but I don't know if that was a game jersey. Jackie Jensen also wore #36 at Cal.

Sticking to football, I'd add some Cal greats not mentioned ( I may have missed some of the ones posted) so far:

#4. Johnny Meek, All-American QB on Cal's undefeated '37 Thunder Team, ahead of Russell White.

#12. Paul Larson, first team All-American QB, who led the nation in total offense, and led the Cal team as QB, placekicker, kick returner, and as a defensive back, led the team in interceptions. As much as I love Joe Roth, (and Joe was the better passer) Larson was the better football player to wear #12. Also, Pete Schabarum, HB on Pappy's Rose Bowl teams.

#18. Adimchinobe Echemandu, RB

#23. Sam Williams, QB, HB, DB on Pappy's teams

#30. Dick Erickson, QB in Cal 1949 Rose Bowl

#31. John Tuggle, RB

#36 Johnny Olzsewski, RB All-American

#68. Proverb Jacobs, T

#88. Vard Stockton, G '37 Thunder Team All American. Also, Mike White, End

#89. Nick Harris, Punter, All-American. Also, Jim Carmichael, End

#99 Perry Schwartz, End, '37 Thunder Team All-American

And of course, Brick Muller. Anyone know his number?

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SFCB, I made the exact two points last week re; Johnny O's number and putting Paul Larson on as the best to ever wear #12 on the paid forum. Like you, I paid the highest respect to Joe..

Steve Sweeny has to be the #88. He was the best player on the field as an upperclassman, and the holder of career records at the time. And made several game winning plays.

I don't know his number, but Mick Luckhurst has to be in the 'also considered' for whatever his number was.

David Lewis did not do well in the pros, but he was a superb TE.

Sherman White was #74, I think.

In the Cal HOF. Definitely the best DL we had up to that time. Probably ever.

ddc_Cal said:

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I don't know his number, but Mick Luckhurst has to be in the 'also considered' for whatever his number was.

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Mick was #45

Thanks.

I see that Mick was 'also considered' after Willard. About right.

run2win said:

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SFCityBear said:

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71Bear said:

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HearstMining said:

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Does anybody know what number Proverb Jacobs wore? He was an offensive lineman 1956-57 and went on to play in the NFL/AFL for several years. As a player, he was before my time, but was my 7th grade PE teacher in 1967 at Garfield Jr High in Berkeley. A very impressive guy to a 12-year-old.

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77

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77 was Proverb's number when he played for the Raiders. When he played for the Eagles, it was 67. At Cal, he wore number 68.

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In 1956 Proverb wore #72 and in 1957 he wore #69. He only lettered in 1957.

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OK. I concede. I swear I saw a photo on the web of Jacobs in a Cal jersey and the number was 68, but now I can't find it, so I must have got it wrong. Thanks for the correction. I think Pappy kicked him off the team in 1956 because he broke a teammate's jaw in a blocking drill.

It was an interesting idea to include Cal athletes of all sports in this article and thread. However, footballers have an edge because their rosters at Cal have typically been much larger than the rosters of any other team sport. Several of the minor sports don't issue numbers to their team members. Most of Cal's good basketball players seem to be getting overlooked in this thread. But the idea of discussing the best players whose uniform had each number is still intriguing. So if you all don't mind, I'd like to borrow the idea, and I'll start a thread on the basketball forum to name the best Cal basketball players for each uniform number over time.

Anyone who is interested in Cal basketball, please come to the basketball forum and take a look at this list. And all comments are welcome, if you want to add a player, make corrections, or discuss the choices.

SFCB

SFCityBear said:

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run2win said:

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SFCityBear said:

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71Bear said:

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HearstMining said:

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Does anybody know what number Proverb Jacobs wore? He was an offensive lineman 1956-57 and went on to play in the NFL/AFL for several years. As a player, he was before my time, but was my 7th grade PE teacher in 1967 at Garfield Jr High in Berkeley. A very impressive guy to a 12-year-old.

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77

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77 was Proverb's number when he played for the Raiders. When he played for the Eagles, it was 67. At Cal, he wore number 68.

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In 1956 Proverb wore #72 and in 1957 he wore #69. He only lettered in 1957.

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OK. I concede. I swear I saw a photo on the web of Jacobs in a Cal jersey and the number was 68, but now I can't find it, so I must have got it wrong. Thanks for the correction. I think Pappy kicked him off the team in 1956 because he broke a teammate's jaw in a blocking drill.

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Thanks for the back story on Proverb. I alway wondered how he went from not lettering in 1956 to being a star in 1957. As for the numbers, I recently completed a research project that captures the uniform numbers for every player to wear a Cal football uniform back to about 1915. To complete the project I looked at game programs. In the early years some players changed numbers mid-season and as we know there's alway players who change numbers during their careers as numbers become available. I wanted to know every numbers someone wore to help support my posts for the California Gridiron on Facebook and Twitter.

run2win said:

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SFCityBear said:

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run2win said:

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SFCityBear said:

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71Bear said:

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HearstMining said:

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Does anybody know what number Proverb Jacobs wore? He was an offensive lineman 1956-57 and went on to play in the NFL/AFL for several years. As a player, he was before my time, but was my 7th grade PE teacher in 1967 at Garfield Jr High in Berkeley. A very impressive guy to a 12-year-old.

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77

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77 was Proverb's number when he played for the Raiders. When he played for the Eagles, it was 67. At Cal, he wore number 68.

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In 1956 Proverb wore #72 and in 1957 he wore #69. He only lettered in 1957.

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OK. I concede. I swear I saw a photo on the web of Jacobs in a Cal jersey and the number was 68, but now I can't find it, so I must have got it wrong. Thanks for the correction. I think Pappy kicked him off the team in 1956 because he broke a teammate's jaw in a blocking drill.

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Thanks for the back story on Proverb. I alway wondered how he went from not lettering in 1956 to being a star in 1957. As for the numbers, I recently completed a research project that captures the uniform numbers for every player to wear a Cal football uniform back to about 1915. To complete the project I looked at game programs. In the early years some players changed numbers mid-season and as we know there's alway players who change numbers during their careers as numbers become available. I wanted to know every numbers someone wore to help support my posts for the California Gridiron on Facebook and Twitter.

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Here is the back story, the 3rd paragraph down in this article, which was taken from Proverb's 1600 page autobiography, https://alumni.berkeley.edu/california-magazine/winter-2014-gender-assumptions/book-proverb-new-autobiography-last-biblical

That project of yours was a true labor of love, I'm sure. I'm worn out after only a few hours of looking for uniform numbers of players.

SFCityBear said:

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run2win said:

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SFCityBear said:

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run2win said:

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SFCityBear said:

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71Bear said:

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HearstMining said:

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Does anybody know what number Proverb Jacobs wore? He was an offensive lineman 1956-57 and went on to play in the NFL/AFL for several years. As a player, he was before my time, but was my 7th grade PE teacher in 1967 at Garfield Jr High in Berkeley. A very impressive guy to a 12-year-old.

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77

---

77 was Proverb's number when he played for the Raiders. When he played for the Eagles, it was 67. At Cal, he wore number 68.

---

In 1956 Proverb wore #72 and in 1957 he wore #69. He only lettered in 1957.

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OK. I concede. I swear I saw a photo on the web of Jacobs in a Cal jersey and the number was 68, but now I can't find it, so I must have got it wrong. Thanks for the correction. I think Pappy kicked him off the team in 1956 because he broke a teammate's jaw in a blocking drill.

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Thanks for the back story on Proverb. I alway wondered how he went from not lettering in 1956 to being a star in 1957. As for the numbers, I recently completed a research project that captures the uniform numbers for every player to wear a Cal football uniform back to about 1915. To complete the project I looked at game programs. In the early years some players changed numbers mid-season and as we know there's alway players who change numbers during their careers as numbers become available. I wanted to know every numbers someone wore to help support my posts for the California Gridiron on Facebook and Twitter.

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Here is the back story, the 3rd paragraph down in this article, which was taken from Proverb's 1600 page autobiography, https://alumni.berkeley.edu/california-magazine/winter-2014-gender-assumptions/book-proverb-new-autobiography-last-biblical

That project of yours was a true labor of love, I'm sure. I'm worn out after only a few hours of looking for uniform numbers of players.

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Thanks for the link. Yes, the research project was definitely time intensive but I'm glad I did it. Its come in handy several times and it will also help during the countdowns I do on social media.