In My Opinion, The Orlando Magic Royally Screwed Up Shaq's Jersey Retirement
A few things jump out here. The first of which is that it took so long to do. When you consider Shaq has been retired since 2011,and played his last game for the Magic in 1996 he number for sure would have been retired already. However the terms on which he left for sure had a lot to do with it.
But regardless of the bad blood, Shaq was without a question the greatest player to ever put on a Magic uniform (no disrespect to Michael Doleac) and was there basically from the beginning of the franchise (established in 1989), he deserves to have his jersey retired. The Magic have never been as successful as when Shaq was there (aside from 1 finals appearance in 2009), was the face of the franchise, brought them to relevancy and was TERRIFIC while he was there. Now being there just 4 seasons, and again the way in which he left were negatives against his case, but I think everyone knew this would happen.
Although even Shaq mentioned he was shocked it did.
Overall, I had absolutely no issue with Shaq's jersey being retired. I think certain franchises have faces, he is without a doubt the face of The Orlando Magic and deserves the honor. I had no issue with the ceremony overall, thought it was well done etc. The one massive issue is this …
The Orlando Magic absolutely BUNDLED the font on the jersey.
Growing up as a 90's kid certain jerseys were iconic. You could spot the color scheme, or the logo, or the font a MILE away.. The Orlando Magic may have been atop that list in terms of iconic fonts. Just look at it …
Focus On Sport. Getty Images.
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For sure you would think the Magic would be able to do the right thing and nail that when they retired the jersey by matching the font right ? Nope. Absolutely bundled it. And the fans for sure noticed.
I guess I get wanting all the jersey styles to match in the rafters for franchises who have had a long history, but this was the first number the Magic retired. Why on earth did The Magic think matching their current uniform style … NEARLY 30 YEARS LATER was the right move? How on earth does that make sense? Why would anyone who ever rooted for him look up at the rafters and not immediately see that font and have it stand out that he never played a second in that jersey?
All the warm feelings you are supposed to get from that banner are turned into anger of how annoying it is to see a jersey font that is clearly wrong. It's like seeing people in a clearly fake jersey walking around a game or the mall. It bothers me, and it should bother Magic fans even more. What an absolute mess of a banner.
FIX IT!
Bonus add that I realized after I hit submit and had to add… THE FUCKING NUMBER AND THE NAME ARE DIFFERENT COLORS ON THE JERSEY SHAQ WORE IN THE 90'S WHICH MAKE IT STAND OUT EVEN MORE AND THEY IGNORED THAT PART TOO!!!!
FIX IT NOW!