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The NFL’s new single-digit jerseys are inspiring excitement
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The NFL’s new single-digit jerseys are inspiring excitement
During a recent training camp practice at the Baltimore Ravens practice facility, two fans were having a hard time believing what they were seeing. As the team’s linebackers took part in a morning drill, two stood out for a surprising reason: Both Patrick Queen and L.J. Fort were wearing single-digit jersey numbers.To get more news about custom nfl jerseys near me, you can visit buyviagraonline24hours.com official website.
It’s an unfamiliar sight for NFL fans but one that will become commonplace this season following an offseason rule adjustment that allows players other than quarterbacks, kickers or punters to wear single-digit numbers. Players from running backs to pass rushers have adopted the change, bringing with them a look more familiar to high school or college football than the pro game.
The change has been met with excitement by many fans and players and in some ways marks a departure from the NFL’s often restrictive approach to uniforms. But it also has its detractors, from those who say it gives the sport an amateur feel to others — including Tom Brady — who are concerned it will have an impact on the field.The rule change was enacted in April following the approval of a proposal submitted by the Kansas City Chiefs. The reasoning was that teams were running low on numbers to give players at certain positions, particularly following the NFL’s expansion of teams’ practice squads from 10 to 16 players last season to allow for increased flexibility during the coronavirus pandemic.
Previously only quarterbacks, kickers and punters were allowed to wear single-digit jerseys. Now running backs, fullbacks, H-backs, wide receivers and tight ends can wear Nos. 1-49 and 80-89. Defensive backs can choose 1-49, linebackers 1-59 and 90-99, and defensive linemen 50-79 and 90-99.
Since the proposal passed, 87 players have changed their jerseys to a single-digit number that wouldn’t have been previously allowed. The opportunity led to some jockeying among players for their preferred digits.
On the day the proposal passed, Queen lobbied quarterback Lamar Jackson for No. 8, which Queen wore in college at LSU, before eventually going with No. 6 in a nod to his hometown. On the Los Angeles Rams, wide receiver Robert Woods snapped up No. 2 (his college number at Southern California) ahead of teammate and star cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who settled for No. 5.
Several rookies took advantage of the new allowance, including wide receivers JaMarr Chase of the Bengals (No. 1) and DeVonta Smith of the Eagles (No. 6). For veterans, the changes came with a potential cost: Players were required to buy out the existing allotment of jerseys with their old numbers to make the switch. After this year, the penalty will no longer exist.
But other veterans didn’t waste any time making the switch. That included third-year Ravens wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, who went back to his college No. 5 because of his favorite player growing up, Reggie Bush.
“I was excited when I heard I had the opportunity to get No. 5,” Brown said this past offseason. “So I was like, ‘You don’t know what could happen next year, so let’s just get it done now.’”
Other notable players sporting a single digit this season include Rams wideout DeSean Jackson (No. 1), Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (No. 7), Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (No. 7), Seahawks pass rusher Carlos Dunlap (No. 8) and Bears safety Eddie Jackson (No. 4).