Jersey Numbers Question

Why is it that some NFL players can get away with wearing certain numbers outside of those designated for the position they play and some are denied?


Keyshawn Johnson, Randy Moss, Koren Robinson last year all wore numbers in the teens and they deny Reggie Bush the right to wear #5...

Anyone know why this is?

Teens i believe are ok for WR's, but numbers in the single digits are not ok for RB's. I don't know WHY that is, but thats the way the NFL does it. To me it shouldn't matter, but i have no say so in it.

When Keyshawn came in to the NFL his team (Jets) did not have any of the WR 80's left and requested permission to wear 19 which obviously was approved.

The NFL requires a grouping of numbers for substition reasons and unity, apparently.

Keyshawn and the Jets are the reason WR are allowed to wear numbers in the teens.

I assume until another number shortage occurs we will not see a RB wearing a single digit number.

Yeah last year i think they changed the rule to allow recievers to wear numbers in the teens if the 80s were all being used.

Roy Williams has been wearing number 11 for a couple of years. Rogers who was drafted before him has 80 and Mike Williams who was drafted after him has 88. It makes no sense to me.

You don't have to be out of the 80's to wear a teens I think the teens are a legal number for WR's even if all the 80's aren't filled

I thought that is what I said? Before Keyshawn and the Jets, it was not allowed though.

basically it is

Okay, whew. I thought I was really losing it there lol

The whole number thing is goofy to me. I mean, who really cares if a RB has #5? I don't care. But thats the NFL.

speaking for the chicks...there are some ladies who are still learning the nuances of the game. when i was a little girl & watching the pack, it was much easier for me to know who the WR's were because they almost ALWAYS wore numbers in the 80's. now that they can wear any ole number they like, it can be confusing for those with less knowledge of the game to figure out which player is playing what position. just a thought from the female side of things.

they can't wear "any ole number" they can wear 80's and teens, its not like your going to see a WR wearing 99 or 43

All players must wear numerals on their jerseys in accordance with rule
5 Section 3 Article 3c ( just describes the size of the numbers) and
such numbers must be by playing position as follows: quarterbacks,
punters, and placekickers, 1-19 (and 10-19 for wide receivers if 80-89
are all otherwise assignd); running backs and defensive backs, 20-49:
centers, 50-59 (60-79 if 50-59 unavailable); offensive guards and
tackles, 60-79; wide receivers and tight ends, 80-89; defensive linemen,
60-79 (90-99 if 60-79 unavbailable) and linbackers 50-59 (90-99 if 50-59
unavailable). If a player changes his position during his playing career
in the NFL and such change moves him out of a category specified above
he must be issued an approprite new jersey numeral. Any request to wear
a numeral for a special position not specified (e.g. H-back) must be
made to the commissioner. During the preseason period when playing
rosters are larger the league will allow duplication and other temproary
deviations from the numbering scheme specified above, but the rule must
be adheres to for all players during the regular season and postseason.
Clubs must make numerals available to adhere to the rule even if it
requires putting back into circulation a numeral that has been retired
or withheld for othr reasons.



sorry the bold murdered my eyes
thank you for the article