Utah State Athletics Announces Bobby Wagner Number Retirement Ceremony

Utah State Vice President and Director of Athletics Cameron Walker announced Monday that Aggie football legend Bobby Wagner will have his No. 9 retired during a halftime ceremony in either the 2026 or 2027 season. The specific game date will be determined based on Wagner’s availability, with additional details to be announced at a later time.

“Bobby exemplifies what it means to be an Aggie, and this honor is long overdue,” said Walker. “We are excited to recognize his achievements in a Utah State uniform and all he has accomplished in the NFL and in his community. Retiring his number and displaying it on the side of our press box for current and future Aggies to see is a well-deserved honor to celebrate an amazing football career and a remarkable person.”

Wagner will become just the third player in program history to have his number retired, joining Merlin Olsen (No. 71) and Elmer “Bear” Ward (No. 35).

“I’m truly honored to have my number retired,” said Wagner. “This is something I could have never imagined. Utah State took a chance on me. They were my only offer and the only school that truly believed in me. They gave me more than just an opportunity to play football. They helped me build a career and provided stability during a difficult time in my life. The coaches, professors, staff, and students all played a role in shaping who I am today. I’ll forever be grateful. Go Aggies!”

Regarded as one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history, Wagner was selected in the second round (47th overall pick) of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.

During his 14-year professional career, Wagner has been named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team (2010–2020) and was a key member of Seattle’s Super Bowl XLVIII championship team. He is a six-time First-Team All-Pro selection, a five-time Second-Team All-Pro honoree, and a 10-time Pro Bowl selection. Wagner helped lead the Seahawks to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, including a championship victory in 2014.

During his illustrious NFL career, Wagner has recorded 2,000 tackles to rank third all-time and is just 60 tackles shy of becoming the career leader in tackles in NFL history.

Off the field, Wagner was named the 2023 Art Rooney Award winner and the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. He is also a minority owner of the WNBA’s Seattle Storm.

One of the most accomplished players in Utah State history, Wagner earned first-team All-Western Athletic Conference honors three times and led the Aggies in tackles in three seasons. He started 46 of 48 career games and finished with 446 tackles, tied for the most in school history. His career totals also include 29.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He recorded 23 double-digit tackle performances during his career.

As a senior in 2011, Wagner helped lead Utah State to its first bowl appearance in 14 years and its first winning season in 15 years, culminating in a berth in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. He totaled 147 tackles that season, which still ranks seventh all-time in program history, after recording 133 tackles as a junior and 115 as a sophomore.

Wagner concluded his collegiate career by earning Most Valuable Player and North Team Most Outstanding Player honors at the 2012 Senior Bowl.

In 2021, Wagner was inducted into the Utah State Athletics Hall of Fame.