Outrage over Jalon Walker wearing Julio Jones’ #11 is ridiculous

In this day and age, everyone likes to overreact for whatever reason, and the latest surrounds the Falcons’ first-round pick Jalon Walker and Julio Jones.

Atlanta’s rookie class announced their jersey numbers. James Pearce Jr. is sticking with the number that he wore at Tennessee, #27. Xavier Watts will wear #31 after wearing #0 for the Fighting Irish last season, Billy Bowman went from #2 to #33, and Jack Nelson landed on the fan favorite #69.

Of course, Walker is continuing with #11, which is what he wore at the University of Georgia, right down the road. It’s obviously most connected to Julio Jones, who I and many others consider to be the greatest player in franchise history, and people, some of whom aren’t even Falcons fans, are outraged.

This is ridiculous for a few reasons. Firstly, the club doesn’t retire jersey numbers. Atlanta has a Ring of Honor, but doesn’t have retired jerseys. That’s just a simple truth.

Should the Falcons retire numbers? Sure, it’s a significant honor that separates the likes of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, actual GOATs in Falcons history, from Arthur Blank, who just inducted himself into the Ring of Honor. Still, the fact of the matter is the Falcons don’t retire numbers.

Secondly, there was virtually no reaction when Logan Woodside or Emory Jones wore #11. There’s outrage for the exact same reason as there was for the Shedeur Sanders prank call, but not the other half dozen draftees who were also prank called — notoriety.

Jalon Walker is a big deal. A first-round pick from Atlanta’s own backyard who is expected to fill the team’s longest-standing need. He has the potential to be a star in this league, and I’d argue that Woodside or Jones wearing #11 is more disrespectful to Julio Jones than Walker.

We’re talking about one player who never played a down of professional football and was wearing #11 in Jones, and another career backup who has never started a single game in the NFL in Woodside. This is with no disrespect to either of them, but that’s a slap in the face compared to an actual talent like Jalon Walker.

Once again, it’s a big nothing burger.

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Photographer: Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire

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