The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted wide receiver Plaxico Burress in the first round, eighth overall, in the 2000 NFL Draft. Burress quickly made a name for himself in Pittsburgh, playing five seasons with the Steelers before moving on to the New York Giants, where he spent four more seasons. His time in the NFL was marked by ups and downs, including a suspension in 2009 and 2010 for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Burress also played a season with the New York Jets in 2011, before wrapping up his career back in Pittsburgh in 2012.
However, Burress' time with the Steelers started with an unexpected request. The team asked him to wear the number 88, a jersey number made famous by Lynn Swann, a Steelers legend and Hall of Fame wide receiver. Swann’s legacy in Pittsburgh was so revered that the number 88 was considered almost sacred by the organization. It was a significant gesture by the Steelers, but one that placed a lot of pressure on the rookie Burress, who was still trying to make his mark in the NFL.
Burress shared his thoughts on this request during an appearance on the Up on Game podcast. He revealed that he was not happy about the Steelers asking him to wear the number 88 and explained how it made him feel uncomfortable. As he recalled the situation, he expressed how it was a lot to ask for someone so new to the team, knowing the weight that came with wearing such a revered number.
"When I got drafted to the Pittsburgh Steelers and I came in the door the next day, do you know what number that they gave me?" Burress asked. "They gave me 88. I was 88. Then, I went to the equipment staff. I told them, I said, 'Listen, I don't want to wear 88.'"
Burress felt it was wrong to wear the number of such a legendary wide receiver in Steelers history.
While Swann's number hadn't been officially retired by the team, Burress was still confused as to why the Steelers would ask him to wear it, given the significance it held.
"And they was like, 'Why not?' I'm like, 'Man, it's Lynn Swann's number. What am I going to do with this?' If you go back and look at all our rookie cards, I was wearing 88," Burress said. "And then when that season started, I switched over to 80. That was just me understanding, knowing the history of the guys that came before me. I'm like, 'Man, this is Lynn Swann's number.' And I was like, 'Why isn't it retired?'"
Steelers Have Only Retired 3 Numbers Officially
The team has officially retired three jersey numbers: Ernie Stautner’s (70), Joe Greene’s (75), and Franco Harris’ (32). While there are other numbers that are essentially unofficially retired (not reissued since those players’ retirements), these are the only three officially recognized by the team.
There are numerous other numbers that aren’t worn, including even the number one, out of respect for kicker Gary Anderson. The decision to make number 88 available for Burress, only for him to refuse to wear it because he felt it was wrong, adds an interesting layer to the Steelers' history.
Swann is one of the greatest players in Steelers history, playing a pivotal role in capturing four Super Bowl titles in the 1970s. It's noteworthy that Burress, despite being a rookie, showed respect for the legendary figures before him by refusing to wear Swann's iconic number. Since Swann’s retirement after the 1982 season, that number has not been worn by another player, making Burress' decision all the more significant.
