Fan-Favorite Utah Players That Wore The Number 13
May 13, 2022, 3:53 PM | Updated: 4:19 pm
Linebacker Gionni Paul #13 of the Utah Utes returns an interception against quarterback Jake Browning #3 of the Washington Huskies on November 7, 2015 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY- It’s Friday the 13th so why not take a stroll down memory lane of some fan-favorite Utah athletes who wore the jersey number 13? While a bit of a tough exercise, fans responded to our question throughout the day on Twitter and came up with some fun names.
Lets have some fun this morning #Ute fans! If you know me well, you know I have a thing for the creepy and so with it being Friday the 13th I have a question. Who do you think are the best #Ute athletes to wear the number 13? Any sport, any era. Drop your answers below ⬇️#GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) May 13, 2022
The Hard Hitters
Unsurprisingly, football had the most input from fans and lets just say there are some memorable faces who donned the number 13 for the Utes.
One fan took us in the way-back machine to team captain and special teams player Colby Knight. Knight was responsible for some chaotic plays in the late ’90’s on special teams that fans still remember fondly. Quick research shows Knight got into bobsledding after his career at Utah with the USA Bobsled Team.
Does anyone else remember Colby Knight? He was a monster on special teams. pic.twitter.com/HBkX6r4sSC
— PCondie (@PatCondie) May 13, 2022
Next up, is Quinton Ganther. Ganther spent 2004 and 2005 pounding the ball on the ground with the Utes before heading to the NFL for a few years. After his playing days were over Ganther began a career in coaching. He is now currently the Utes’ running back coach, passing down his aggressive running style to the next generation.
Quinton Ganther for sure
— Stevenson Sylvester (@SSylvester55) May 13, 2022
Kelvin York was not with Utah for long only playing for them in 2012 and 2013, however, he made a lasting impression. Everyone fondly remembers the thumping he put on BYU in the run game in 2013 and for that he makes the list of legends who wore number 13.
I prefer the youtube clip, the announcers are perfect on the call. https://t.co/qrEGWEjVzb
— The Robfather (@robr0013) May 13, 2022
In 2013 there was a ton of buzz about “this guy from Florida who used to play for Miami” coming to Utah. That athlete was linebacker Gionni Paul. Paul was never the biggest guy on the field, but he played with such a natural instinct for the game and ferocity that he quickly became a fan-favorite. The plays Paul made for the Utes from 2014-2015 not only cemented him as a legend for Utah fans, but also earned him some serious respect from opposing fans as well.
As a Cougar fan, the one that I always worried about was Gianni Paul. Man, he was a beast!
— Todd⛳️🏀🏈⚾️⛳️🦈 (@ToddBGolf) May 13, 2022
List begins and ends with Gionni Paul. He’s rapidly become one of the most underrated Utes of all time. He was really special.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) May 13, 2022
Finally, Ute fans were quick to remember a punishing safety from 2017-2018 that the late John Pease coined a “heat-seeking missile”. That safety of course is none other than Marquise Blair. Blair was known for hard hits (sometimes they were too hard) and it got him to the NFL. Unfortunately, he’s been a little injury plagued at the next level, but the Seahawks love his potential to cause mayhem.
Marquis "The Soul Slayer" Blair pic.twitter.com/RnmIepfa4H
— Ryan Boyce Kirkpatrick (@RealRyanBoyce) May 13, 2022
The Stuff Nightmares Are Made Of
Ok, this next one is not a Utah athlete, but the response was pretty funny and this guy does have a strong, negative connection to Utes of a certain age. Of course we are talking about BYU’s Johnny Harline. The year was 2006 and Utah was hosting their in-state nemesis in the season finally. Things looked great for the Utes until they weren’t. “Beck to Harline” will live in Rivalry Lore forever and that particular number 13 will haunt Ute fans and players for life.
Jonny Harline? I'm sorry, Michelle. I'm feeling zoob vibes this morning! 😉🤪 pic.twitter.com/X2gLpd22JN
— The Palangi Kalani (@TimoteoMitchell) May 13, 2022
Those Guys Who Dribble
Utah’s had a few basketball players come through who rocked the number 13. Hanno Mottola played for the Utes from 1996-2000 and had a fairly long career afterward. While he was only in the NBA for two years with the Hawks, he did bounce around the foreign circuit till 2014. David Collette was another guy who played hoops for Utah from 2016-2018 after transferring from Utah State.
Hanno Mottola, Marquise Blair, Quinton Ganther, David Collette, Arnold Parker
— win or lose, i ❤️ my 22’s (@Ute_Brownies) May 13, 2022
Ladies Do It Right
Madelyn Robinson played for Utah volleyball from 2020-2021 while wearing the number 13 and she didn’t disappoint. In her last season she was named All Pac-12 First Team, came second on the team in kills with 340. Robinson was also one of three Utes last year to play every set of the season. Not bad.
So, I found one female athlete who wore the #13 with some research that I think is worth talking about. Madelyn Robinson had a very nice career for @UtahVolleyball. Last season she was second on the team with kills in 2021 and was All-Pac-12 First Team. #GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) May 13, 2022
