However it was interesting to note Shearer pointed the finger at Demba Ba for not wanting the shirt.
Shearer is a Geordie boy and grew up with the legends who wore that shirt, but I don't think anyone outside of this country understands the meaning of it.
Demba Ba simply said in a TV interview: "I like the number 19, I am happy with that."
And I don't think it is a crime to turn down the offer of a shirt number he wasn't offered in the first place.
Let's not forget, Alan Pardew said (after signing Demba Ba): "We still don't have a player worthy of the number nine ... I am still looking."
Alan Shearer: “It is one of the most iconic shirt numbers in football, certainly in this country, and I’m delighted that somebody has come in and is going to wear it.
“I can understand why it was kept empty when Andy left, but something has been missing
“You can look into it as much as you want, but there’s no doubt that it’s a special shirt. You can say the same about the No 7 at Liverpool or the No 10 at Tottenham Hotspur. It’s one of those positions that people look at.
“The most important thing is that Cissé actually wants to wear it, he wants that responsibility and that’s half the battle. There are expectations that come with it, but the biggest is a simple one – that you score goals.