NFL rules question
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Doomsday101
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Numbers 1 to 19 are worn by quarterbacks, kickers, and punters.
Since 2004,[3] Wide receivers are also allowed to wear numbers between 10 and 19 if they so choose, even if there's an 80-89 number available.
Numbers 20 to 49 are worn by running backs, tight ends (40-49, when an 80-89 number is unavailable), cornerbacks and safeties.
Numbers 50 to 59 are worn by linebackers and offensive linemen.
Numbers 60 to 79 are worn by members of both the offensive line (the tackles, guards and centers) and defensive line (the defensive ends, defensive tackles or nose guard).
Numbers 80 to 89 are worn by wide receivers and tight ends.
Numbers 90 to 99 are worn by linebackers and defensive linemen. In effect since 1984.
Numbers 0 and 00 are no longer used, though they were issued in the NFL before the number standardization in 1973. George Plimpton famously wore 0 during a brief preseason stint at quarterback for the Detroit Lions. Jim Otto wore number "00" ("aught-oh") during most of his career with the Oakland Raiders. Wide receiver Ken Burrough of the Houston Oilers also wore "00" during his NFL career in the 1970s
There have been many exceptions made to the rules. The most notable case being former wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, who was allowed to wear number 19 despite available numbers in the 80's. This, combined with the fact that more NFL teams were retiring 80's numbers, eventually led to the league to allow wide receivers to wear numbers 10-19 in addition to 80's numbers in 2004.
Former New York Giants linebacker Brad Van Pelt was allowed to wear number 10 with the team despite not being covered in the grandfather clause, as the team drafted him in 1973, the year the newer jersey number system went into effect. This was because Val Pelt served as the team's backup kicker his rookie season.[5] Van Pelt did wear number 91 at the end of his career for the Los Angeles Raiders and Cleveland Browns.
Another former wide receiver, Dwight Stone, was allowed to wear number 20 when he played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, with whom he spent the majority of his career. Stone did wear 80's numbers after he left the Steelers. Another former Steeler, tight end Matt Cushing, wore number 48, but as he was listed as a "tight end/fullback", since he was also the team's backup fullback.
Four current players wear numbers outside their primary position: Washington Commanders tight end Chris Cooley and Carolina Panthers tight end Jeff King wear number 47 and Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark wears number 44 despite in both cases having had an 80's number available and unlike the aforementioned Cushing neither play any other position. In addition, Chicago Bears wide receiver/return specialist Devin Hester wears number 23, which represented the position the team originally drafted him for, cornerback. Hester was allowed to keep 23 after the team converted him to wide receiver.
Since 2004,[3] Wide receivers are also allowed to wear numbers between 10 and 19 if they so choose, even if there's an 80-89 number available.
Numbers 20 to 49 are worn by running backs, tight ends (40-49, when an 80-89 number is unavailable), cornerbacks and safeties.
Numbers 50 to 59 are worn by linebackers and offensive linemen.
Numbers 60 to 79 are worn by members of both the offensive line (the tackles, guards and centers) and defensive line (the defensive ends, defensive tackles or nose guard).
Numbers 80 to 89 are worn by wide receivers and tight ends.
Numbers 90 to 99 are worn by linebackers and defensive linemen. In effect since 1984.
Numbers 0 and 00 are no longer used, though they were issued in the NFL before the number standardization in 1973. George Plimpton famously wore 0 during a brief preseason stint at quarterback for the Detroit Lions. Jim Otto wore number "00" ("aught-oh") during most of his career with the Oakland Raiders. Wide receiver Ken Burrough of the Houston Oilers also wore "00" during his NFL career in the 1970s
There have been many exceptions made to the rules. The most notable case being former wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, who was allowed to wear number 19 despite available numbers in the 80's. This, combined with the fact that more NFL teams were retiring 80's numbers, eventually led to the league to allow wide receivers to wear numbers 10-19 in addition to 80's numbers in 2004.
Former New York Giants linebacker Brad Van Pelt was allowed to wear number 10 with the team despite not being covered in the grandfather clause, as the team drafted him in 1973, the year the newer jersey number system went into effect. This was because Val Pelt served as the team's backup kicker his rookie season.[5] Van Pelt did wear number 91 at the end of his career for the Los Angeles Raiders and Cleveland Browns.
Another former wide receiver, Dwight Stone, was allowed to wear number 20 when he played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, with whom he spent the majority of his career. Stone did wear 80's numbers after he left the Steelers. Another former Steeler, tight end Matt Cushing, wore number 48, but as he was listed as a "tight end/fullback", since he was also the team's backup fullback.
Four current players wear numbers outside their primary position: Washington Commanders tight end Chris Cooley and Carolina Panthers tight end Jeff King wear number 47 and Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark wears number 44 despite in both cases having had an 80's number available and unlike the aforementioned Cushing neither play any other position. In addition, Chicago Bears wide receiver/return specialist Devin Hester wears number 23, which represented the position the team originally drafted him for, cornerback. Hester was allowed to keep 23 after the team converted him to wide receiver.
Rogah
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It seems to me that the league doesn't really seem to care except when it comes to eligible receivers. For example, a lineman with a number in the 70's has to report in as an eligible receiver if he is lining up as such - and then he has to sit out the next play.DBOY3141;2945810 said:
Hostile
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It is a number for the position he was drafted for, which you correctly noted as CB. If a player switches positions, the NFL does not force them to change numbers as long as they remain on that team. Hence why Randy White, drafted as a LB, wore #54.DBOY3141;2945784 said:
If Hester changes teams and stays a WR he cannot wear 23.