The Detroit Lions issued no. 85 to Kevin Johnson a free agent retread receiver that will force David Kircus off the squad. 85 had been "unofficially retired" since 1971 as it was the number worn by receiver Chuck Hughes when he died of a heart attack on the field that year. While this is not the same as unretiring a number of a great white player it is still just another way to demean a white player from the past. It's not like there are not enough numbers in football either. The Lions said they tried to contact a representative from the Hughes family so as to be respectful but *surprise* they couldn't find one.