Micah Parsons' Legacy Honored with High School Jersey Retirement

Jul 16, 2025 3:51 PM EDT

The Dallas Cowboys are unique in how they don’t formally retire jersey numbers of legendary players and never let them be worn again.

But reaching the pinnacle of professional football, and especially making an impact as a member of the “America’s Team”, certainly warrants a jersey retirement at most player’s high school. That was case this week for star linebacker Micah Parsons.

Parsons returned home to Harrisburg High School in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to receive this special honor of immortalizing his football career by retiring his No. 23 jersey worn for the Cougars.

After reaching five-star status as the No. 4 overall recruit in the 2018 class, Micah would go on to have a stellar career at Penn State. He would eventually be given No. 11, a historic number often handed to the Nittany Lions’ best defender. Parsons has since brought that digit into his NFL career with the Cowboys.

Micah wasn’t just a superstar tackler in high school, he was a dominant running back. His senior season saw him rack up 1,239 rush yards and 29 total touchdowns. He also graced the hardwood as a basketball player, channeling his inner Michael Jordan or LeBron James with the same number.

After Harrisburg honored Parsons’ No. 23, the 26-year-old All-Pro delivered an emotional message to the people that helped raise him.

“As a community, it takes village. I appreciate everyone who is a part of my village,” Parsons said.

“Everyone who made an impact, you have a stitch in this jersey. We’re a village. We’re a family. I’m not going nowhere … Those who poured into me, I’mma pour back into you. That’s how life works, and that’s how we’re going to make a change in our community.”

Parsons has clearly been a foundational leader in his hometown, and he’s expected to grow into that type of influence with the Cowboys, as well.

Ahead of his upcoming contract extension – one we predict could break records – Micah has been challenged by head coach Brian Schottenheimer and owner Jerry Jones to step up as a vocal and emotional leader in the locker room, in addition to how he leads the defense on the field.

Although Parsons’ deal is not official yet, the “lion-backer” is continuing to strive for greatness by working his hardest this offseason before he and the team head to Oxnard, Calif. for training camp next week.

That mentality will continue Parsons on the trajectory of being one of the best Cowboys defenders ever, which could replicate the impactful legacy he has already built in his hometown of Harrisburg, PA.