Seems to me, if that's the case, Louisiana has thousands of retired jerseys.
It's like the ring of honor that the Dallas Cowboys have. Players still wear those numbers. Basically it's an honor for the player but the number can still be worn.
You can retire a jersey without retiring a number.
True for vast majority of major programs. FBS Football has rosters over 100.....need every number 0-99. Hence most retire the jersey....NOT the number.