About two weeks after Marvin Harrison Jr. was selected fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals at the NFL draft, BJ Ojulari received an unexpected message from Arizona's equipment manager, Jeff Schwimmer, detailing a potential conflict over jersey numbers. Both rookies had worn the number 18 during their respective collegiate careers—Harrison Jr. with the Ohio State Buckeyes and Ojulari with the LSU Tigers.
A Symbolic Number
For BJ Ojulari, the number 18 carried great significance. During his final season at LSU, Ojulari was awarded the number 18 jersey, a highly coveted honor bestowed upon the best all-around player for their character, academics, and leadership traits. "It meant everything to me. It was really important to me," Ojulari expressed. When Ojulari donned the number 18 jersey, LSU won the SEC Western Division title, underlining the jersey's symbolic value to him.
A Shared History
The jersey number conflict between Ojulari and Harrison Jr. was not their first encounter. The two had crossed paths on the field back in 2019 during their high school days. Ojulari represented Marietta High School, while Harrison Jr. played for St. Joseph's Prep. Their shared history laid a foundation for an amicable resolution.
Navigating the Conflict
Understanding the depth of their mutual respect, Ojulari and Harrison Jr. initiated a dialogue over text and phone to find a resolution. "We was just chopping it up. We got to talking about the number," recounted Ojulari. Through these conversations, Ojulari soon made a decision that highlighted his team-first mentality and leadership qualities. "It wasn’t a hard decision," he said, deciding to give up the number 18 jersey for Harrison Jr.
A Team-First Attitude
The decision was emblematic of Ojulari's character and his commitment to the team's success. "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 explained. Harrison Jr. echoed this sentiment, expressing his gratitude, "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."
A Smooth Transition
Despite the emotional weight of the number 18, Ojulari handled the transition with grace, opting to wear the number 9 for the Cardinals. "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 added, reflecting on what the number had represented for him.
In a scenario that could have bred discontent, both players displayed maturity and camaraderie, prioritizing the success and harmony of their new team, the Arizona Cardinals. With the jersey number conflict resolutely behind them, both Ojulari and Harrison Jr. can now fully focus on making their mark in the NFL, exemplifying the true spirit of teamwork and respect in professional sports.