Wearing No. 12 Is No Burden for Alabama's Greg McElroy

In the locker room at Bryant Denny Stadium, the lockers have names of noteworthy people who shared each number with the current players. Greg McElroy's has some pretty impressive names on it: Joe Namath, Pat Trammel, and Kenny Stabler, to name a few famous No. 12s.

In fact, few people know that even coach Paul "Bear" Bryant once wear No. 12, but McElroy knew it.

Of course, he also knows that it was worn by some people that may not ring a bell to most casual fans. It was worn by kickers, safeties, and a receiver. Does the name Jeremy Downey bring up many memories?

I thought not.

Nor has it been a number reserved for the best of quarterbacks. Too many have worn it to have that be true. How many remember John Phillips, Robert Fraley, or Billy Ray? There are so many others.

"Wearing No. 12 is special because it does have some notable history," McElroy said in an interview with me,"but every jersey has a claim to fame of some sort. I'm just proud it's an Alabama jersey."

Ah, but to most Alabama fans, that jersey number embodies all that is best about Alabama. It is the jersey number most shown on a helmet when people are talking about Alabama, and even Kenny Stabler is part owner of a restaurant that helps remind everyone of those famous digits with his eatery called "12."

So what's in a number?

In high school, McElroy wore No. 17, and that that was his number the first two years he was at Alabama. In 2008, he changed to No. 12.

There is a myth behind that jersey, but in the end it's only that—a myth. Wearing it gives you no special power or mojo; it's just another number. But is does have a sentimental place in McElroy's heart.

Though he is on pace to write his own name in the Alabama history books and maybe have his own name added to that locker some day, wearing that jersey gives McElroy no additional pressure.

"Of course I would like to do well and be remembered for something great," McElroy said. "But the ultimate honor is bringing that jersey number and all the other ones another championship. That's what we're all here to do."

And if he does accomplish that, perhaps his name will go to the top of that list on the locker of famous No. 12s, and perhaps it will deserve to be there.