re: Does Chris Curry transferring out kind of cheapen the #18 tradition?

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handing out 2 per year cheapens it.

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agreed.

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handing out 2 per year cheapens it

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This, more than anything.

That said, it is a completely forced "tradition" that started with no significance whatsoever. Mauk left after the 2003 season and then gave the number to incoming freshman, Jacob Hester. By Mauk's own account is was more of a joke than anything. It wasn't some significant "passing of the torch". It just was an available number. Hester had done absolutely nothing significant at that point to warrant any sort of "honor". That Mauk bestowed him with the "honor" is just revisionist history created for a good story. After Hester finished his great career he simply just gave the number to his friend, Richard Dickson. There wasn't really any great significance in that moreso than there were just buddies. After that they decided to start the "tradition".

It's basically an effort to try to copy Texas A&M's 12th man tradition (which has deep historical roots in that program dating back decades). But if the LSU TEAM/Players find the tradition to be significant, then by all means keep it. And if it is supposed to encompass more than simply on field production then I don't think Curry not having a remarkable season...then transferring really "cheapens" it. If his teammates felt he embodied the characteristics of the player who should wear the number than that is all that really matters.

I do, however, think it is dumb to have TWO guys (one on each side of the ball) wear the number. If it is going to be of such great significance the only ONE guy on the team should have it