NFL jersey numbers

[kenobi_65]

@tiffanynave

Hi! I have read this whole thread, but still don’t understand what 00 means, other than in reference to a player’s last name. My husband claims it was only worn by “super jocks.” Is there significance in a player choosing this number? I see why they would give Plimpton 0 for his “special” status, but just wondering if, traditionally, choosing 0 or 00 makes some kind of statement. Thanks!!

In the U.S., at least, I don’t believe it has any particular significance, other than, sometimes, as a reference to the player’s name (in addition to Otto, baseball player Al Oliver wore 0). In the pro leagues, the numbers are mostly seen now in the NBA, and I suspect it’s just personal preference.

As noted when this thread was originally active, the NFL hasn’t issued either 0 or 00 to any new players for nearly 40 years, and neither number has been worn since 1981 (when Ken Burrough retired).

[kenobi_65]

@notfrommensa

Assuming “0” and “00” are considered two different numbers

They do seem to be…

@notfrommensa

would “05” and “5” be considered two different numbers.

I’ve never seen a “0X” number issued in a U.S. sports league. I think I’ve seen such a number on race cars.

[Dignan]

[QUOTE=kenobi 65]

I’ve never seen a “0X” number issued in a U.S. sports league. I think I’ve seen such a number on race cars.
[/QUOTE]

Benito Santiago wore the jersey number “09”. He played baseball, and was a catcher. He went with the “09”, because he didn’t like the chest protector strap down the middle of his back to rub on the numeral on his jersey. Turn “9” into two digits, and problem solved! I do not know why he didn’t just go with a different number. He liked 9, I guess.

[polar_bear]

@Jman

Most times I’ve seen this the double issued numbers are split between offense and defense, so he should never have to worry about it.

I saw a college game (one of the bowl games) sometime in the last two weeks, where a team was given a penalty for fielding two players with the same number; so it does happen.

[kenobi_65]

@Dignan

Benito Santiago wore the jersey number “09”. He played baseball, and was a catcher. He went with the “09”, because he didn’t like the chest protector strap down the middle of his back to rub on the numeral on his jersey. Turn “9” into two digits, and problem solved! I do not know why he didn’t just go with a different number. He liked 9, I guess.

Ah, you’re right. I’d forgotten about him – though, according to Baseball-Reference.com, he only wore “09” for four seasons (1991-1994), and often wore a number other than “9” during the rest of his career.

[crypto]

@notfrommensa

Slight hijack:

Assuming “0” and “00” are considered two different numbers, would “05” and “5” be considered two different numbers.

I don’t think you could wear “05” in football unless your last name was Fubu.

[Jim_s_Son]

When the USFL was in existence in the early 1980s before Donald Trump ruined it (dude won his anti-trust suit against the NFL but only got $3 for it), they allowed odd numbers. Like wide receiver Anthony carter could wear 1 because he wore it in college. When he went to the NFL he had to wear 81.

In baseball it is very rare to see a pitcher wear a single digit. David Wells wore “3” for a while as a Red Sox to honor his favorite player Babe Ruth but later switched. It don’t think there is any rule, it is just a custom.

In hockey 1 and 30 are traditionally numbers for goalies. Not a hard and fast rule and it has loosened in recent years. 40 years ago it was rare to see any player with a number over 30 but it is commonplace now.

[Intergalactic_Gladiator]

@astorian

Every now and then, you’ll hear the stadium announcer saying something like, “Number 68 is an eligible receiver.”

That is, occasionally, an offense may have a play in which a guy who’s usually a guard or tackle lines up as if he were a tight end. Most likely, he’s NOT going to be a receiver (he’s probably going to be blocking from the tight end position), but in theory he COULD be. When that happens, the coaches have to notify the refs AND the opposing team.

I recall that they only need to announce eligibility to the ref on 1st through 3rd downs, on 4th down they do not.

[ZenBeam]

I remember jokes about QB Joey Harrington wearing number 3 when he played for the Lions. They should reserve 3 for the main field goal kicker, and not allow it for QBs. (Maybe not in the official rules, but still…)

[crypto]

@Intergalactic_Gladiator

I recall that they only need to announce eligibility to the ref on 1st through 3rd downs, on 4th down they do not.

You may be right… on a standard punt play, I believe this to be true, however, if the tackle isn’t covered on one side, I believe it is still considered a penalty (illegal formation) if the lineman hasn’t been identified as an eligible receiver no matter what down it is. So, if the offense looks like it’s going to take a stab at going for a first down on fourth and short (or long), I think they still have to declare the lineman.

I’ll look this up. It’s a good question. I can see why the NFL might want to just let the 4th down play alone.