Retired Jersey Numbers
#22 John Cappelletti (1971-1973)—
Penn State officially retired its first ever jersey number in 2013 when it honored John Cappelletti on the 40th anniversary of his receiving the Heisman Trophy as the best player in college football.
Cappy was on hand with family members at the Eastern Michigan game on Sept. 7, 2013 for the home opener at Beaver Stadium. He was ceremonially presented with a framed #22 jersey which oddly did not conform to either the numeral font style or the all-blue color scheme used by the Nittany Lions in their undefeated 1973 season (no white piping at the collar or sleeves was used in ‘73). It also carried a Nike swoosh which was not seen on Penn State jerseys until 1994. Note: The “Cappelletti 22 jersey” on display at the Penn State All-Sports Museum also has incorrect block numeral font but is more accurate in that it’s all-blue with no Nike logo. (Photo from 2019)
In addition to the ‘73 Heisman, Cappelletti won the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Foundation Player of the Year Award, the now-defunct Chic Harley College Player of the Year Award, and the UPI College Football Player of the Year Award. He was also a Unanimous/Consensus All-American that season. Cappy was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame in 2005.
Cappelletti remains the only Heisman winner from Penn State and his 22 is the only retired number to date. Three Penn Staters have finished 2nd in Heisman balloting (Richie Lucas QB 1959, Chuck Fusina QB 1978, & Ki-Jana Carter RB 1994)
Although the number 22 was retired in 2013 by PSU, it continued in use through the 2015 season because it was already assigned to two Nittany Lion players prior to the decision to retire Cappelletti’s jersey. The last player to actually wear the #22 in a game for Penn State was running back Akeel Lynch (2012-2015) at the Jan. 2, 2016 TaxSlayer (Gator) Bowl loss to Georgia. (Linebacker TJ Rhattigan wore 22 from 2011-2013 before changing numbers to 42 and was the last defensive player to wear 22). Note: 2016 season #22 home and road jerseys (first year with the “We Are” stitched inside the back collar) were created in anticipation of Lynch’s return for that season, but Akeel graduated and transferred to Nevada for his final year of eligibility, so those jerseys were never used in a game.
Best known PSU players other than Cappelletti or Lynch to wear #22 post-WWII—Evan Royster TB (2006-2010), Kenny Watson TB/WR/SE (1996-2000), Brian Milne FB (1993-1995), Ray Isom S (1983-1986), Chuck Burkhart QB (1967-1969), Dick Gingrich S (1964-1965), Milt Plum QB (1954-1956), & Tony Rados QB (1951-1953). For the record, 10 different running backs/tailbacks/fullbacks wore #22 beginning with Cappelletti in 1972 (Cappy was actually primarily a DB/Return Specialist in 1971). Also 8 Penn State quarterbacks wore #22 in the post-war era beginning with Bill LaFleur in 1947 and ending with Matt Nardolillo (1990-1992).
Penn State #22 jersey from 2015 season
(Final season where this number was in game use)
Nittany Notes:
Virtually a thing of the past nowadays, printed season game tickets were not only needed for stadium entry, they were also a collector’s item. The last time that a “non-current” football player appeared on a Penn State football game ticket was in 2013’s season opener with Eastern Michigan (see above). The man on the ticket was John Cappelletti on the very day his #22 jersey was officially retired. The ticket showcased Cappy with his Heisman and in game action.
For collectors of Cappelletti, the 2013 ticket was the third PSU ticket to honor him along with 2 from the 1998 season which celebrated the 25th anniversary of the 12-0 Nittany Lions of ‘73 (the Southern Miss & Bowling Green game tickets). Cappy also appears in the photo art used on season tickets for the 2001 Wisconsin and 2011 Iowa games.