About two weeks after Marvin Harrison Jr. was selected fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals at the NFL draft, BJ Ojulari was met with an unusual situation. Arizona's equipment manager, Jeff Schwimmer, reached out with a message that would spark a brief but impactful dialogue between two new teammates over a jersey number.
Both Harrison Jr. and Ojulari had a strong attachment to the number 18. Harrison Jr. had worn it with pride during his time with the Ohio State Buckeyes, while Ojulari had sported it during his standout career with the LSU Tigers. The number 18 held special significance for Ojulari; in his final season at LSU, he was granted the prestigious number—a symbol given to the team's best all-around player, recognized for their character, academic achievements, and leadership. He had led LSU to an SEC Western Division title that year, solidifying his status as a cornerstone of the team.
Interestingly, this wasn’t the first time Ojulari and Harrison Jr. had crossed paths. During their high school days in 2019, Ojulari had represented Marietta High School while Harrison Jr. had played for St. Joseph's Prep. The history added another layer to the already meaningful discussion about the jersey number.
A Dialogue of Respect and Resolution
The conversation between Ojulari and Harrison Jr. began amicably over text and phone, each acknowledging the significance the number 18 held for the other. “It meant everything to me. It was really important to me,” Ojulari said, reflecting on the honor of wearing the number at LSU.
As the dialogue unfolded, Ojulari’s decision became clear. “We was just chopping it up. We got to talking about the number,” he recounted. In what he described as not a hard decision, Ojulari chose to give up the number 18 jersey for Harrison Jr., recognizing the value it held for his new teammate. “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 stated, showcasing his team-first mentality.
Harrison Jr. couldn’t be more appreciative of Ojulari’s gesture. “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,” Harrison Jr. shared. The act of selflessness from Ojulari set a positive tone for their budding relationship on the team.
A New Beginning with Number 9
While Harrison Jr. embraced the revered number 18, Ojulari found a new identity with the number 9. It marked a fresh start, yet his connection to the number 18 remained strong. “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 reminisced.
In an NFL landscape where jersey numbers can often be a point of contention, the resolution between Ojulari and Harrison Jr. stands out as a testament to their maturity and mutual respect. There was no exchange of money—just a simple, heartfelt gesture that underscored both players' commitment to the team and each other.
As the Arizona Cardinals gear up for the upcoming season, the camaraderie exhibited by Ojulari and Harrison Jr. over a jersey number is an early indicator of the strong team chemistry they are building. It’s a narrative of respect, teamwork, and the understanding that, sometimes, the most important numbers are those that count in the win column.