Photos courtesy of Charla Shults
Every Friday evening in the fall you will see a player wearing No. 32. This number holds a special place in Pampa High School football history because it was worn by Pro Football Hall of Famer Zach Thomas. As a tribute to Thomas, the Pampa High School football program has retired No. 32 from regular jersey circulation. From this day forward, jersey No. 32 will be worn every Friday night by a different individual. That individual embodies that competitive spirit which Zach Thomas displayed every Friday night in the fall. The individual will be voted on by the coaching staff.
The fifth player selected by the coaching staff to wear No. 32 during the 2026 season is junior linebacker and fullback Aiden Hammond. He normally wears No. 11, but for the fifth game against Canadian on Friday, he will be wearing the Zach Thomas No. 32.
Hammond said being chosen carries special significance as the Harvesters prepare for an important game.
“I am proud to be viewed as a leader, and I’m happy that I can represent No. 32 in such a huge game for our season,” Hammond said.
Wearing the jersey also reflects the trust Hammond has earned from his coaches and teammates.
“Wearing No. 32 means that I’m viewed as someone they can trust and someone that the team can rely on,” he said.
In addition to football, Hammond competes in basketball and track. He hopes to continue his football career at the collegiate level, although he has not yet selected a specific school.
“I want to play college football,” Hammond said. “I do not have a specific college I want to go to, but I’m open to any scholarship opportunities.”
Away from athletics, Hammond enjoys playing golf and spending time with his friends and family. His favorite subject is health science because it connects with his desire to help others.
“I like the feeling of being able to help people,” Hammond said.
That interest has also helped shape his plans beyond high school. Hammond hopes to study anesthesiology and eventually pursue a career as an anesthesiologist.
As Hammond’s position coach, White has had a front-row seat to the junior’s growth and leadership on the defensive side of the ball.
“Aiden has done a tremendous job all year of leading the defense,” White said. “He’s the one guy everybody looks to to get us going in the right direction. He makes most of our checks on the defensive side, and then on offense, anytime we need him to run the ball or do whatever we need him to do, he’s the first one up there ready to go.
“To me, he’s the quintessential example of what No. 32 is all about. You couldn’t ask for a better guy to represent us as a team with the number 32.”
