Texas Tech defensive end Bryce Ramirez , on the comeback trail from a devastating lower-leg injury he suffered last season, will wear the Red Raiders' coveted No. 3 this coming season, Tech coach Joey McGuire announced Tuesday.
McGuire said in June 2022 he wants the player who wears the No. 3 jersey to have a twofold purpose: to honor the fighting spirit of the late Luke Siegel, who wore No. 3 in youth sports, and to represent what McGuire terms "The Brand" — "the toughest, hardest-working, most competitive guy on the team."
"Being given the opportunity to wear the No. 3 for the scarlet and black means the world to me," Ramirez said in a statement. "This is an outstanding honor to be recognized as the 'Brand player' by my coaches and peers as well as being given the opportunity to represent Luke Siegel and his legacy. I intend to wear this jersey with pride."
Luke Siegel, son of former Tech tennis coach Tim Siegel, died in 2021 at age 15, six years after he suffered a traumatic brain injury in a golf-cart accident. His ordeal inspired the Team Luke Hope for Minds charitable organization that raises money and provides resources for other young people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries.
Injured player recovering: Brighter days: McGuire optimistic about September return for Ramirez
Ramirez, a 6-foot-2, 250-pound senior from Richmond George Ranch, was invited to join the Red Raiders in 2019 after making an impression in open tryouts for walk-ons. He was making his first career start last season in the non-conference finale at North Carolina State when he suffered a compound fracture. He remained hospitalized in Raleigh, North Carolina, for five nights and underwent two surgeries in the days immediately after his injury.
Earlier this month, McGuire said Ramirez is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation and that he believes Ramirez will be able to play again by September.
"There's not a more-fitting member of our program to represent The Brand jersey than Bryce Ramirez," McGuire said in a statement. "He is The Brand each and every day through his actions. I know, personally, I can't wait to see Bryce run out of the tunnel wearing that jersey for the first time. That will be a special moment that all Red Raiders should celebrate as Bryce is a terrific young man that is a great representative of everything we want in our program."
Ramirez previously has worn No. 54.
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This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech football player Bryce Ramirez, recovering from major injury, gets coveted jersey No. 3
