Darren McFadden wants No. 5 to 'live on' with Arkansas football
Darren McFadden is considered by many to be the undisputed greatest Razorback of all time. The Little Rock native was a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist and provided some of the greatest performances in Razorback history.
But his number 5 isn’t retired. There are just two that are at Arkansas: No. 12 for Clyde “Smackover” Scott and No. 77 for Brandon Burlsworth. McFadden’s number will be honored this upcoming season, not retired, and a patch will be placed on jersey of the current players wearing number 5.
McFadden doesn’t necessarily want his number retired
McFadden was on the Chuck and Bo Show on Wednesday morning, and said he doesn’t necessarily want his number to be retired.
“A lot of people say the number should be retired,” McFadden said. “Which I can’t say that it’s not a number that’s worthy of being retired because it’s very much well-lived, but I tell people it’s a way for my name to be able to live on because you’re not gonna see number five on a jersey and not think about Darren McFadden.”
McFadden is right about his number being worthy of being retired. He’s the all-time leading rusher in Arkansas history with 4,590 yards, which is also second in SEC history. He holds the record for most 100-yard rushing games at Arkansas with 22 and is one of just two running backs to rush for at least 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons (Alex Collins was the other).
After his junior season with the Razorbacks, McFadden went to the NFL Draft and was taken second overall by the Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders. He remains the highest-drafted running back in Raiders history; the next-highest is Ashton Jeanty, who was drafted sixth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
This year’s patch will be worn by fifth-year senior defensive tackle Cam Ball and true freshman wide receiver Ja’Kayden Ferguson. McFadden’s jersey will be honored during the game against Texas A&M on Oct. 18.
Football isn’t McFadden’s greatest accomplishment
As dominant and legendary as McFadden was on the football field, he said his accomplishments on the football field are second to beating alcohol and maintaining his sobriety.
“I tell people I’ve had a ton of accolades and awards over the years, but being able to give up drinking it’s probably one of my biggest accomplishments,” McFadden said. “I didn’t think I was alcoholic, but you know it definitely had a hold on my life, and it controlled me more so than not. So being able to give up drinking, man I’ve been sober two years now and you know it’s just an amazing feeling.”
McFadden said his last alcoholic drink was on May 18, 2023, and he’s more present with his family now.
“I got little girls at home now,” McFadden said. “So it’s softened me up a little bit man, but I’m thankful to be able to be sober for them and be present in their lives and so that’s just a blessing for me.”
