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| These days, double numbers are all over the place in Division III. But at Johns Hopkins, just one player, the one who teammates feel most exemplifies what it means to be a JHU football player, gets to wear the tribute to the late Jim Margraff. This year, Spencer Uggla is the chosen recipient of the jersey. Photo by Mike Atherton, d3photography.com |
By Joe Sager
D3sports.com
Jim Margraff left an indelible mark on the Johns Hopkins football program — and beyond.
His sudden passing nearly five years ago stunned the football community that still resonates to this day.
After all, Margraff, who was a standout Blue Jays quarterback, took over the program in 1990 and racked up 221 wins until his death on Jan. 2, 2019. Along the way, he became an admired leader on campus — and beyond the Baltimore area.
Greg Chimera, who served as a Magraff assistant, succeeded him as head coach. He wanted to find a way to honor his former boss and mentor. So, he decided to reserve Margraff’s No. 3 jersey number as a special honor for one player each season.
“It just boils down to a team vote,” Chimera said. “It’s pretty basic — who do you think exemplifies what it means to be a Hopkins football player? Each person could have their own definition of what that means.”
Margraff did not want his jersey number retired, so this is the next best tribute to the program’s former leader.
“It allows his legacy to live on. Everybody on the team now didn’t have him as a coach,” Chimera said. “So, when we do the vote and talk about him, we bring up a lot of old memories and it keeps his legacy going.”
The tradition began last season when the team voted for Ross Anderson to wear the No. 3 jersey.
“Ryan Hubley had that number already before and we weren’t going to take it away from him, but he certainly would have been a worthy candidate for it had we started the tradition while he was here,” Chimera said. “Some other teams have some traditions with numbers. But, when our player is wearing that number, he’s such a representation of the program. Our teams know that that’s the guy.”
Anderson was deeply grateful to be chosen to start the tradition.
“It was absolutely one of the greatest honors I’ve ever received in my life. It’s a really, really cool tradition Coach Chimera started to honor Coach Margraff,” he said. “He was a legend of a man. He built this program from a player to a coach. Wearing that jersey was an incredible honor, that’s for sure.”
Anderson, who graduated last year, was fortunate to have been recruited by and play for Margraff.
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| Ross Anderson, left, walks out with his fellow captains before a 2022 game. Anderson was the first Johns Hopkins player to be honored with the 3 by his teammates. d3photography.com file photo by Dan Hunter |
“I was part of his last class. My freshman year was the 2018 season and he passed away just after the season. Losing him was unimaginable and tough for the guys, let alone what it must have been like for his family,” Anderson said. “I only really got to know him for that season and during the recruiting process, but it was so special to be able to play for him and learn under him. He absolutely was a larger-than-life character. At the same time, he was so down to earth; he was just a regular guy. To see someone like him be held in such high regard to anyone he spoke to was really amazing to me. He was an inspiration to so many.”
Anderson, a standout defensive back, and his Blue Jays teammates were thrilled when Chimera decided to start the No. 3 jersey tradition for 2022.
“Everybody was excited about it and in for it. It represents more than just your typical captains or statistical leader — it’s more about a character level. I am unworthy of seeing it start with me, but I am forever grateful. To see Spencer carry on the tradition is really cool.
“This year, before the vote, while talking to Coach Chimera, I said that, I don’t know if it counts, but my vote goes to Spencer. He’s put up an absolute stellar season. He is the kind of guy who has showed the highest character since he came in as a freshman. He is the starting running back, but there he is still sprinting through every drill and giving his all on every play. The jersey goes to the player on the team that represents Hopkins football the most and there are a bunch of guys that could’ve received it, but it’s great that Spence gets the honor this year.”
Uggla, a senior, leads the Blue Jays’ running game. He has rushed for 738 yards and seven touchdowns. He rambled for 68 yards and three scores in the team’s 39-17 win over Union in last week’s playoff win.
“It’s truly, truly an honor to wear the jersey, especially with everybody voting on it. It was pretty cool to have them believe that I deserve the honor to honor Coach Margraff,” Uggla said. “One of my biggest role models on the team the past few years was Ross. He had a major impact on me and took me under his wing. I was so excited to carry on the tradition.
“We have so many great guys on the team. You’re only as good as people you surround yourself with, so it’s easy to be a good person when have so many amazing guys on this team.”
Uggla represents the first class of players that did not get a chance to be coached by Margraff. However, the players are very proud to honor his contributions.
“Our program is founded of the culture that Coach Margraff created here. He has left a legacy here that’ll continue on. Just talking with Coach Chimera and all the guys who were lucky enough to play with him and coach with him, he was the best guy in the room at all times, but he would put his foot down when things needed done. He was a very respected leader and he earned it. He sounded like the smartest, nicest and most down-to-earth guy and he had a lot of success here.
“The jersey tradition is a cool way to keep honoring him and the culture here, especially as guys graduate and new players come here that didn’t get to play for him and meet him.”
While Uggla was thrilled to receive the team’s vote, he didn’t let the honor alter his approach.
“Ever since I have gotten here, I try to hold myself to being a leader and a role model on and off the field,” he said. “I want to be a good teammate and do everything I can to help the team. I didn’t feel like getting the jersey number changed anything. I remember getting a text from Ross when I got voted congratulating me and telling me that I got it for a reason and not to change anything and to just keep being myself. That’s how I’ve tried to live my life. I keep my eyes set on the prize and try to do everything I can to help the team.”
The next task for Uggla and Johns Hopkins (12-0) is to get past Randolph-Macon (12-0) in Saturday’s quarterfinal home matchup.
“It’s awesome. I’ve never played football in December ever in my entire career. That’s true for a decent majority of the guys on our team, too,” he said. “It’s very cool to be playing this late. We’re one of eight teams left.”
The Blue Jays got a chance to practice during the snow, too.
“Guys were loving it,” Uggla said. “Having the opportunity to make these memories is amazing. We’re right where we want to be. It’s so special to be with this group.
“We’re definitely just focused on ourselves and stacking good practices each week,” he continued. “I feel like we still haven’t played a complete, perfect game. We’re close, but I don’t think we’ve reached our ceiling yet.”
Anderson, who lives nearby in Washington, D.C., has been able to come back to campus on Saturdays this season.
“I’ve been able to go to most home games. They are playing unbelievable football right now,” he said. “They had a great regular season and two big wins in the postseason. They have another tough test this Saturday.”
He hopes to stay connected to the program and make sure the No. 3 jersey recipient understands its value each season.
“I got to talk to Spencer after all the wins, so far. He and I have talked about what a cool legacy this will be,” Anderson said. “I hope to connect with every guy who gets to wear that jersey. I am excited to text Coach Chimera and ask for the guy’s number each season and keep a community of the guys who wear it. As guys get further and further removed from Coach Margraff’s time here, we want them to understand that the number doesn’t just go to the best player each year. Trying to keep the memory of what this is supposed to mean is huge.”
So, what if a lineman gets chosen to wear the number in the future?
“It’s an interesting dilemma,” Anderson said with a laugh. “I am not sure if they’ll use a patch instead or incorporate the number on the jersey somehow? Coach Chimera is a smart guy; he will figure a way to make it happen.”