When fans think of the Chicago Bears and the No. 54 jersey, only one player comes to mind: Brian Urlacher. Now for the first time in nearly 15 years, they will think of another player, but he’s looking at building off the Hall-of-Famer’s legacy.
Rookie center Logan Jones made waves on Friday when it was announced he would be wearing No. 54 as a member of the Bears. That number has not been in the team rotation since Urlacher retired following the 2012 season. Even during training camp and the preseason.
Over 500 different players have come and gone since Urlacher last played on the Bears with none of them donning the Hall of Famer’s number. The NFL won’t allow the Bears to retire any more numbers, so the team shelved it for an extended period of time. Now it’s finally making a return, and Jones is proud to honor Urlacher’s legacy.
“It’s such an honor to be able to wear that number,” Jones told the media on Friday. “I came in and Tony [Medlin], the equipment guy, he’s been here for such a long time. He’s like, ‘I think it would be really cool,’ and obviously it is.”
“When you think of the Chicago Bears, [Urlacher] is kind of who you think of. So to see that number out in practice, it just lets everyone think, ‘Oh, that was Brian Urlacher’s number,’ so it’s kind of supporting his memory and letting everybody see the legacy he left. To be able to wear that number is very cool and hopefully I get the chance to meet him one day, too.”
Jones may still be waiting to meet Urlacher, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t communicated with him. According to CHGO’s Adam Hoge, Urlacher gave his blessing to Jones about wearing No. 54, so there are no hard feelings on the subject between the two. Bears fans have their own opinions, though.
“Logan Jones could become the best offensive lineman in Bears history, and it still wouldn’t justify him taking Brian Urlacher’s #54,” @DaRealConMan wrote on X. “I know the Bears are at max capacity for retired numbers. But it doesn’t make it any less weird to see 54 still in circulation,” Bleacher Nation Bears posted.
Urlacher’s legacy on the field is set in stone, and he will forever be considered one of the greatest defensive players in Bears history. Now Jones can create his own legacy and bring a whole new meaning to the number with his play on offense. Like Urlacher, he was a permanent team captain and should become a key leader on the offensive line in the not-too-distant future. Either way, fans will come to know Jones as the next No. 54, and hopefully that includes a long career as the team’s entrenched center for years to come.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears rookie C Logan Jones explains decision to wear No. 54
Reporting by Brendan Sugrue, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
