Mich. School Will Retire Soldier's Jersey Number

KINGSLEY, Mich. (AP) — The football jersey number worn by a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan will be retired by his northern Michigan high school.

Justin Hansen was No. 54 on the 2002 Kingsley team. A ceremony retiring that number will be held Friday, the first game of the season for the Stags.

Hansen was a Marine who was killed in Afghanistan in July. Hundreds of people attended his funeral at his former school near Traverse City. Coach Tim Wooer says Hansen always "bled orange and black," Kingsley's colors.

Organizers have ordered 2,000 T-shirts with Hansen's name and number. Kingsley's opponent, Traverse City St. Francis, is buying 500 for its fans.

The Traverse City Record-Eagle says Hansen's old teammates will carry a U.S. flag onto the field.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)