Doubt it's true. Mike McCoy was the equipment manager, and was responsible for giving out numbers.
Most likely.
It's just weird how some numbers are so protected while others aren't.
Open for business:
#54 Randy White, Bob Howley - any bum can wear it.
#43 Cliff Harris, Don Perkins - ditto (seriously?).
#28 Darren Woodson - may be off limits for defensive backs but open to running backs.
#17 Don Meredith - any bum can wear it.
#73 Larry Allen - unprotected.
#55 Lee Roy Jordan - ditto.
#20 Mel Renfro - double ditto.
#70 Rayfield Wright - triple ditto.
#33 Tony Dorsett - it's like he didn't even play for this team.
#88 Drew Pearson, Michael Irvin - Jackie Harris, really?
#94 Charles Haley - available to those deemed worthy.
On the shelf:
#74 Bob Lilly
#22 Bob Hayes, Emmitt Smith
#12 Roger Staubach
#8 Troy Aikman