Danton Barto made his mark as one of Memphis football's all-time great defensive players from 1990-93. Now future generations will remember his name each time they enter Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

Memphis announced Friday that Barto's No. 59 jersey will be retired this season at a home game determined with his family. Barto, who died in August 2021 due to complications from COVID-19, will be the seventh Tiger honored in such fashion.

In a video released by the school, athletic director Laird Veatch shared the news alongside Barto's widow Shelley during a meeting with the Highland Hundred, the Tigers' booster club.

Barto remains the Tigers' all-time leader in total tackles (473) and solo tackles (273). He led the Tigers in tackles in each of his final three seasons and was named the All-South Independent Defensive Player of the Year in 1992 after recording 127 tackles with four interceptions.

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He was also voted the Tigers' MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in 1991 and 1993. He played five seasons in the CFL and AFL and later coached the Memphis Xplorers in the AFL2. Barto also coached the AFL's Las Vegas Gladiators and served as a scout for the then-St. Louis Rams.

This summer, a group of Tigers fans started a petition at Change.org requesting Barto's number be retired. As of Friday, the petition had 2,319 signatures.

The six previous Tigers to have their numbers retired are John Bramlett, Isaac Bruce, Dave Casinelli, Charles Greenhill, Harry Schuh and DeAngelo Williams.