Source: The American Prospect
by David Dayen
“Walking around the University of Montana campus hours before the homecoming football game (Go Griz), I kept seeing people wearing jersey number 37. This isn’t typically the number of the star quarterback, so I asked somebody about it. They explained a tradition going back more than 40 years, started by a fullback named Kraig Paulson, a Montanan from a tiny town called Plentywood. After a four-year career marked by gritty play over raw talent, Paulson gave his number 37 to another native Montanan, who gave it to another, and so on. Eighteen Grizzlies have now worn #37, which now stands in for ‘the Spirit of Montana: hard work, dedication to the team, and tough play on the gridiron,’ according to the team website. The Republican governor of Montana couldn’t wear #37; Greg Gianforte is from San Diego.” (10/22/24)
https://prospect.org/politics/2024-10-22-montana-senate-tester-sheehy/