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FSU Football: Top Seminoles that should have jersey numbers honored

By Jason Parker

CLEMSON, SC - OCTOBER 19: Jameis Winston #5 of the Florida State Seminoles during their game at Memorial Stadium on October 19, 2013 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - OCTOBER 19: Jameis Winston #5 of the Florida State Seminoles during their game at Memorial Stadium on October 19, 2013 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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26 Sep 1998: Kicker Sabastian Janikowski #38 of the Florida State Seminoles looks on during the game against the USC Trojans at the Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Trojans 30-10. Mandatory Credit: Scott Halleran
26 Sep 1998: Kicker Sabastian Janikowski #38 of the Florida State Seminoles looks on during the game against the USC Trojans at the Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Trojans 30-10. Mandatory Credit: Scott Halleran /

No. 38 – LB Paul McGowan (1984-1987) and K Sebastian Janikowski (1997-1999)

Florida State Seminoles Football
Florida State Seminoles Football /

Florida State Seminoles Football

Why they should be honored: It would be hard to argue that one player was better than the other – as both bring some solid resumes to the table during their time with FSU football – so it would be neat to recognize that the number did well on both of their backs.

McGowan, a Winter Park native, was one of the first solid linebackers to play for the Seminoles and laid the foundation for future greats by finishing fourth all time in tackles with 446 for his four year career, highlighted by a 150 tackle season in 1987 during which he became the first Nole to win a national award when he was named the Butkus Award winner that season as the top linebacker.

A decade later, Janikowski came to Tallahassee from Daytona Beach (via his native Poland) and became one of the best kickers in the history of college football. He ranked fifth all time in field goals made (holding the season season record with 27 in 1998) while being a two time Lou Groza Award winner as well as being one of just six players to be a consensus All-American two seasons, being named a unanimous one during the 1999 national title season.

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