KINGSVILLE, Texas - The Texas A&M-Kingsville football program will retire the number 16 at the end of the current football season. The retirement will take place at the 2023 Javelina Hall of Fame banquet Feb. 16 in the Memorial Student Building ballrooms on campus.

The number has been worn by the quarterbacks of six of the seven Javelina national championship teams. Jarell Hayes wore No. 16 in the 1959 championship season, and also during the 1960 and 1961 campaigns. The Javelinas won the Great Southwest Bowl title in 1960 and had an 8-1-1 record and the 1961 squad was 7-2. Karl Douglas wore the number during his four seasons as a starter in 1967-70.

During that time, the Javelinas won national titles in 1969 and 1970, were national runnersup in 1968 and had a 9-0 record in 1967. Douglas' record as a quarterback was 41-4-0. Richard Ritchie continues the No. 16 legacy when he wore the number in the 39 games he started in 1973-76. The Javelinas were national champions in 1974, 1975 and 1976 and were undefeated. Ritchie had a 39-0 record as a starter for the Javelinas.

The starting quarterback for the other national title squad was Martin Stroman in 1979. He possibly would have worn 16 had it been available when he was a freshman. Ritchie was a senior that year and had the number. Stroman choose No. 18 and wore it in his four-year career.

The induction ceremony is set for Feb. 16 in the Memorial Student Union Building ballrooms. 

To keep up-to-date with Javelina Athletics, follow the department on Facebook at /JavelinaSports or on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads @JavelinaSports