The Worldwide Leader has made a global mistake.
In an article ranking the best college football players of all time by jersey number, ESPN named legendary Pitt wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald the greatest player ever to wear No. 1. The outlet also listed three finalists: Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray, LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, and Ohio State wide receiver Anthony Carter.
One problem: Anthony Carter played for Ohio State’s archrival, Michigan.
The College Football Hall of Famer played at Michigan from 1979–82, becoming a three-time All-American with 141 catches for 2,681 yards and 34 total touchdowns in 44 games for the Wolverines. One of those scores is still etched in Ohio State lore, as the 5-foot-11, 168-pound speedster hauled in a game-winning touchdown from quarterback John Wangler to lift Michigan over the Buckeyes, 9-3, in 1980.
It’s possible ESPN had legendary Ohio State wide receiver Cris Carter in mind when writing the section. However, it's hard to know for sure. Carter wasn’t even a finalist for the greatest players ever to wear No. 2, with Florida State defensive back Deion Sanders earning the nod over finalists Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson and Alabama running back Derrick Henry.
Ohio State had eight players named as the greatest ever to wear their respective jersey numbers: running back Eddie George (No. 27), halfback Vic Janowicz (No. 31), linebacker Chris Spielman (No. 36), halfback Howard “Hopalong” Cassady (No. 40), running back Archie Griffin (No. 45), linebacker Randy Gradishar (No. 53), offensive tackle John Hicks (No. 74) and offensive tackle Orlando Pace (No. 75).
