Former Louisville football star running back Senorise Perry is wearing a number that hasn’t seen the field for the Buffalo Bills in quite some time.
During the three years that Senorise Perry was on the field for the Louisville football program, he wore the number 32. Since then several players have worn that number for the Cards, including linebacker Stacy Thomas, and most people wouldn’t think twice about that particular number holding any significance.
After going undrafted, Perry signed with the Chicago Bears where he played for a season, wearing number 32, just as he did at Louisville. From there he went on to play for the Miami Dolphins for a few seasons, wearing 34 due to his longtime number being worn by fellow running back Kenyon Drake.
You may be asking yourself, why does this matter? Hell, why am I even reading this article? Both are solid questions, but there is significance in the number selection for Perry.
As a free agent this summer, Perry signed a one year deal to continue his three-year career playing for the Buffalo Bills. At the time, no one cared about the number selection of Perry, seeing as how he was relatively unknown signing, having played mostly special teams throughout his career.
But today, Perry is receiving more media attention based off of his number choice than anyone, including the Bills, probably ever saw coming.
News began to spread today of Perry going back to his old number, number 32. While it might ring a bell right away as to why it’s a big deal, once you figure it out it’ll all make sense. Typically players moving to new teams and receiving new numbers gets no attention, but when you take the number of one of the most notorious football players and people in American history, then it becomes a story.
Especially when that person is O.J. Simpson.
The number 32 in Buffalo hasn’t been worn in over 40 years, last seeing the field in 1977. That is set to change this fall, assuming Perry is able to make the 53 man roster for the Bills.
"“I thought it was retired, but then I was told it was available. Boom, I took it.”"
Sean McDermott says the team discussed Senorise Perry's decision to wear 32. Said it has meaning to Perry and his family. He's first to wear 32 since O.J. Simpson. #Bills
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) May 21, 2019
Wearing that number won’t come without some raised eyebrows. Simpson is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, playing in Buffalo from 1969 to 1977, but has become more notorious for his involvement in the murder case of Nicole Brown-Simpson and Ron Goldman. Buffalo has distanced themselves from Simpson over the years, but even though his number wasn’t retired or taken off the field, no one has ever wanted to go near those comparisons. Until Perry.
Simpson was reached for comment, and he didn’t have much to say. He told Tim Graham of the Athletic,
"“Whatever they do is fine with me. That’s how I feel. When I played there, I tried to honor the team. Since I left, I always tried to honor the Bills. And, to be honest, it’s not something I think about. There’s too much else going on in life.”"
For Perry, he knows what comes with wearing Simpson’s old number, both good and bad. But to him, the number is bigger than the legacy of OJ Simpson and more than just football. He said,
"“I know the situation. I know that greatness comes with that number, playing in Buffalo. But I’m willing to take anything that comes my way. …With that number on my back, I know I’m doing well for my family.”"
The former Louisville running back is making a bold statement taking a number that was worn by one who became more famous for his actions off the field than on them, and is known today by many as a “murderer who got away.” Perry will have big shoes to fill and undoubtedly will face kickback as long as he’s wearing 32 in Buffalo.