- Quarterbacks dominate the use of number 12 in sports
In honor of 12-12-12, USA TODAY Sports is taking a look at the greatest professional athletes to don the dozen. 12 has been the popular choice of many NFL quarterbacks, a prolific NBA guard, and one of the most feared holes in golf:
FOOTBALL
- Terry Bradshaw: Hall of Fame QB of Pittsburgh Steelers, 1970-83.
- Tom Brady: Three-time Super Bowl winner and two-time NFL MVP as QB of New England Patriots, 2000-present.
- John Brodie: Two-time Pro Bowl QB of San Francisco 49ers, 1957-73.
- Bob Griese: Hall of Fame QB of Miami Dolphins, 1967-80.
- Jim Kelly: Hall of Fame QB of Buffalo Bills, 1986-96.
- Andrew Luck: As QB at Stanford, set the school career record for touchdown passes and completion percentage, now leading the Indianapolis Colts to the brink of the NFL playoffs as a rookie
- Colt McCoy: Left Texas (2006-09) as winningest starting QB in Football Bowl Subdivision history
- Joe Namath: Hall of Fame QB, 1965-77, played all but final season with New York Jets.
- Aaron Rodgers: It's Aaron Rodgers Day in Wisconsin in honor of Super Bowl winner and 2011 NFL MVP as Green Bay Packers QB (2005-present). Some businesses encouraged employees to wear his jersey.
- Ken Stabler: Four-time Pro Bowl QB, 1970-84, best known with Oakland Raiders.
- Roger Staubach: Hall of Fame QB of Dallas Cowboys, 1969-79.
BASEBALL
- Roberto Alomar: Hall of Fame second baseman, 1988-2004, best known with Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles.
- Ron Blomberg: Baseball's first DH, career spanned 1969-78, best known with New York Yankees.
- Wade Boggs: Hall of Fame third baseman, 1982-99, wore No. 12 with New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
- Alfonso Soriano: Left fielder and second baseman, seven-time All-Star, 1999-present, best known with Yankees and Chicago Cubs.
BASKETBALL
- LaMarcus Aldridge: All-Star forward with Portland Trail Blazers, 2006-present.
- Phil Ford: Point guard at University of North Carolina, where number is retired; national player of the year in 1978 with 20.8 points a game.
- Derek Harper: NBA guard, 1983-99, best known with Dallas Mavericks.
- Kirk Hinrich: NBA guard, 2003-present, best known with Chicago Bulls.
- Dwight Howard: Six-time All-Star center, 2004-present, best known with Orlando Magic.
- Fat Lever: Two-time All-Star guard, 1982-94, best known with Denver Nuggets.
- Pat Riley: NBA guard, 1967-76, best known with Los Angeles Lakers.
- John Stockton: Hall of Fame guard with Utah Jazz, 1984-2003.
- Maurice Stokes: Hall of Fame forward-center, 1955-58.
- Diana Taurasi: Phoenix Mercury guard, 2004-present, wears No. 3 she made famous at Connecticut; wears No. 12 through Olympic career, winning gold in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
- George Yardley: Hall of Fame forward-guard, 1953-60.
HOCKEY
- Jarome Iginla: Six-time All-Star right wing for Calgary Flames, 1996-present.
- Dickie Moore: Hall of Fame left wing, 1951-68, best known with Montreal Canadiens.
MOTOR SPORTS
- Sam Hornish Jr.: Completed sixth season with Penske Racing as driver of No. 12 Alliance Truck Parts/WURTH Ford Mustang.
- Will Power: Drove No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Dallara/Chevrolet in Izod IndyCar Series.
- Ryan Newman: Thirteen of 16 NASCAR wins came in No.12 car.
- Gilles Villeneuve: Famed Formula One driver died in 1982 in accident in Belgian Grand Prix qualifying.
12th MAN
- Seattle Seahawks: Fans at perhaps NFL's loudest stadium had such an impact on franchise in early 1980s that No.12 was retired.
- Texas A&M: Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel gave shout-out at Saturday's ceremony.
No. 12 at the Masters
In the heart of Amen Corner is the shortest hole at Augusta (Ga.) National Golf Club. But the par-3, 155-yard 12th, guarded by Rae's Creek and a deep bunker in the front and azaleas, pine trees and two bunkers in the back, is treacherously difficult.
Jack Nicklaus called it the hardest tournament hole in golf. Tiger Woods said he felt comfortable on the tee of the hole only on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Tom Weiskopf didn't say much in 1980 after he made a 12 — plus one.
As much as anything, the winds that swirl among the pines get the players' attention. — Steve DiMeglio
