Jersey Numbers and Old Dame Fortune (1915) — MVictors.com

I’ve recently done housekeeping on the Uniform Timeline. And thanks to the Michigan Daily archives, we have new additions in the early periods. Here’s one:

Previously noted on the Timeline, numbers on uniforms first appeared in 1915, exclusively on back of the jersey until 1930. We also know that coach Fielding Yost actually objected to the notion of players wearing numbers in 1910, telling reporters, “I do not like the idea because it brings the individuals into too much prominence.” Apparently by 1915 Yost softened on this.

Digging deeper recently, I found more details on the introduction of Michigan football wearing numbers in 1915:

As the Daily notes, the new numbers were specifically white, sewed on, 6 inches high, and first appeared mid-season for the October 30, 1915 game at Ferry Field against Syracuse. Here’s a shot from that game of tackle William Watson #12 trying to make a play:

U-M Bentley Historical Library (cropped)

The Daily also provided the entire roster of numbers and shared this excellent detail:

The numbers run from 2 to 32, with number 13 missing. It is the general idea that even the most fearless spirits on the Varsity didn’t care to flirt with old Dame Misfortune by picking out her favorite ill-luck omen.

You can’t argue with that.

Now I had to see a rundown of M Men who have dared to dance with Dame Misfortune. The Bentley roster database yielded these 38 brave souls, starting with a gent named Clifford Sparks in 1917 and most recently with Money Moody:

Sparks has a robust Wikipedia entry and played quarterback for the Yostmen, earning All-American honors in 1916. The Daily revealed why Sparks leaned right into the unlucky number in 1917:

Sparks chose No. 13 for his Varsity sweater in an effort to break the jinx [injuries] that has followed him since he because a regular footballer under Yost.

The old reverse hex. Never fails. Check out the full Uniform Timeline below, including a surprise “new” uniform introduced for the 1917 M.A.C (Michigan State), game? More on that later.