Jersey numbers are considered sacred in the world of sports.

The SEC has no shortage of legendary numbers; digits that are instantly recognizable and indelible within the conference’s rich history.

Many of the players on our list endeared themselves to their fans by being freakish athletes with hearts bigger than their talents. Others used their talents on the field and returned to lead their alma maters on the sideline.

Had jersey sales been a viable thing back in the day, these would have been among the top-selling threads worn at SEC stadiums.

Here’s a look at some of the more sacred jersey numbers in SEC history:

No. 11, Florida: Steve Spurrier

Once upon a time Steve Spurrier wasn’t known as the Ol’ Ball Coach. He was Steve Spurrier, two-time All-American, Heisman winner and general wrecking ball of a man. He left Florida with 4,848 passing yards and 37 touchdowns.

Spurrier returned to Florida in 1990 to pilot the Gators to a national title in 1996 — against Florida State, no less — and eight AP top-10 finishes. He also pocketed six SEC championships and five coach of the year awards.

No. 12, Alabama: Joe Namath/Paul “Bear” Bryant

Where to begin when it comes to the No. 12 at Alabama? An argument could be made that it’s the most prestigious number in all of sports — or, at least, in college football. Notable ‘Bama legends to don the digit on their back include Brodie Croyle, Greg McElroy and Ken Stabler.

But for the most part, it’s nearly impossible to beat Joe Namath and Paul “Bear” Bryant when it comes to the No. 12. The tandem led the Crimson Tide to the national title in 1964, Broadway Joe’s final year at Alabama.

Namath finished his three seasons in Tuscaloosa with 2,713 yards and 24 touchdowns. Bryant led Alabama to six national titles, 14 SEC championships and 323 career wins.

When it comes to the No. 12 at Alabama, you’d better be ready to earn it.

Side note: Alabama freshman David Cornwell currently wears No. 12 for the Crimson Tide.

No. 12, Texas A&M Fans

Many teams attempt to harness the power of the 12th man. But only one can claim to be the original 12th Man. That’s thanks to a man named E. King Gill. Realizing he needed to fill a roster spot in a 1922, A&M coach Dana X. Bible called for King from the press box where the basketball player sat and helped writers identify players. King jumped from the press box, quickly suited up and took his spot on the sideline. Although he didn’t get in the game, his self-sacrifice for the betterment of the team resonated with the fans and a new tradition — one that has since been emulated across the county — was born.

No. 16, Tennessee: Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning basically Wally Pipped his way into the Tennessee starting quarterback role. As a freshman, Manning subbed-in for an injured Todd Helton and Jerry Colquitt. Then never gave them their jobs back.

Name a Tennessee passing record and Manning surely owns it or owned it at some point. The man who famously donned No. 16 tossed for 11,201 yards and 89 touchdowns in his career. Perhaps even more endearing to Volunteer fans is the fact that Manning returned to Knoxville for his senior season, despite the fact that he’d already graduated and was a high NFL draft projection.

No. 16, Kentucky: George Blanda

Joe Namath wasn’t the only legendary quarterback to line up under center for Paul “Bear” Bryant. Before Namath at Alabama, there was George Blanda in Kentucky. Blanda was Mr. Everything for the Wildcats serving as quarterback, kicker and punter. If you asked him to play defense, he might have. He finished his Kentucky career with 1,451 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Blanda was a sophomore when Bryant arrived in Lexington. The duo helped give life to Kentucky football before moving on; Blanda to the NFL and Bryant to Texas A&M and eventually Alabama.

Bryant never lost more than four games in a season for the Wildcats and was at the helm in 1950 when Kentucky won their only “claimed” national title (the Wildcats finished the regular season No. 1 but lost their bowl game). He also had help from quarterback Babe Parilli, whose No. 10 is also revered in Lexington.

No. 34, Auburn: Bo Jackson

How do you not recognize a man who was dubbed ESPN’s “Greatest Athlete of All-Time?” Failing seemed to be the only thing Bo Jackson couldn’t do during his prime. Jackson posted 4,303 career yards and 43 touchdowns in 45 games — all the while splitting time with the Auburn baseball team. The SEC’s fourth-leading rusher all-time, Jackson’s 6.6 yards per carry is best in SEC history.

No. 34, Georgia: Herschel Walker

Walker blistered opponents out of the Georgia backfield to the tune of 5,097 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns. Walker finished third, second and eventually first in the Heisman voting during his three years in Athens, the only player in history to accomplish that feat. Walker is still such a freakishly-talented athlete that Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn invited the 53-year-old to tryout in camp this summer — albeit (mostly) in jest.

No. 45, Tennessee: Johnny Majors

Majors was a three-time SEC champ, a two-time SEC MVP and national champion in 1976. The halfback then returned to Knoxville to lead the Volunteers to a 116-62-8 record in 16 seasons as head coach.

Majors and Manning both lost out on their Heisman bids to peculiar scenarios. Majors finished runner-up for the award in 1956, yielding the honor to Notre Dame’s Paul Hornung, the only player from a losing team to win a Heisman Award. Manning lost his Heisman in 1997 to Charles Woodson of Michigan, the only defensive player to ever win the award.

1810, Ole Miss: Archie and Eli Manning

You did something right when a school names a street after you. Mississippi renamed the address on its athletic facilities to 1810 Manning Way, homage to the father-son duo of Archie and Eli Manning.

The Mannings are Ole Miss royalty. In true Manning-family fashion, Archie tossed for 436 yards, threw three touchdowns and rushed for another 104 yards in the first-ever nationally-televised game. He was SEC Player of the year in 1969 and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Eli had just as stellar a career at Ole Miss throwing for 10,119 yards, good enough for fifth on the SEC all-time passing list. All told, Eli left Oxford with 45 program records for passing.

Did we miss someone? Who would you add to the list?