The Minnesota Vikings announced on Wednesday that they have signed George Iloka, and the veteran safety could give the fans flashbacks when he takes the field in Week 1.
According to the Vikings, Iloka will be wearing jersey number 28. That number, of course, belonged to Adrian Peterson during his 10-year career in Minnesota. As you might expect, there have been some mixed reactions to the Vikings allowing Iloka to wear the same number as one of the greatest players in franchise history.
@George_iloka u can’t wear 28 homie…I don’t care what zim says That’s going up in the rafters w/Peterson on the back.pick a new number bro #skol
— 3rd (@cuh4rmLbXGC) August 22, 2018
He doesnt deserve to wear his number. @AdrianPeterson pic.twitter.com/uwyIzp89Ev
— Joe black (@Skolvikingsgo) August 22, 2018
Man, I LOVE the Shade the Vikings are throwing giving Iloka the number 28
— Goose Oberstar (@MapleJordan43) August 22, 2018
Great signing – but incredibly poor form letting him take that number. It should be retired.
— JP (@Pugoramma) August 22, 2018
I'm happy with the signing, but I don't like him wearing the G.O.A.T. AP's jersey #.. Well, at least it's going towards an elite player and not a Rookie.. Plus the NFL will no longer retire numbers..
— yang_allday (@Vikings_Fan89) August 22, 2018
What a bunch of crybabies. AP isn't even that good. And he isn't even retired yet. Guess he will never crush Emmitt's record like he said he would.
— VIRGINIA Cowboys Fan (@dcfva) August 22, 2018
— Paul Silva (@paul_pj5) August 22, 2018
— Corey Strickland (@Contractcorey) August 22, 2018
As some fans noted, Vikings legend Ahmad Rashad wore No. 28 before Peterson, so anyone who is angry with Iloka for wearing it should have been angry with the team for giving the number to A.P. over a decade ago.
In any event, Iloka is a nice addition to a defense that was already one of the best in football. If he makes even a fraction of the impact Peterson made with the team, fans will quickly forget about what number he has on his jersey.
