Number Question

[JRowden7]

Hey guys, I have a question that I've been curious about. Hoping someone here knows the answer.

I know the NFL is very strict about Player Numbers as they pertain to a players position. I remember when Reggie Bush came out of college, there was a bit of a controversy because the league wouldn't allow him to use the #5 as a RB.

I'm curious why the same rule seems not to apply to Dexter McCluster (#22 WR, Chiefs). I know Devin Hester also wears #23 as a WR, but always assumed that was allowed because of his position switch from CB. Can anyone shed some light on this?

[sycodmn]

I believe McCluster is actually listed on the depth chart as a runningback. I know he definitely is for my fantasy league on Yahoo sports. That would allow him to wear 22.

[JRowden7]

On any depth chart I have been able to find (NFL.com, ESPN.com, KCChiefs.com, etc.) he is listed as a WR. They also refer to him as a WR on TV Broadcasts, and I'm fairly certain they announced him as a WR when he was drafted.

[Dog]

I know that Hester is an exemption because he was originally a CB and wanted to just keep the #23 when they switched him to receiver. I assume that the reason McCluster can keep #22 as a WR is because he is a WR/HB.

[Burns11]

When you switch positions you have to switch numbers, any exemptions to the rules have to be applied for with the NFL. Why they are letting guys have exemptions now (there's a WR on the 49ers with a number in the 20s as well), I don't know, I guess Goodell is more lenient than Tagliabue with jersey numbering.

Edit: I just realized they changed that rule of switching numbers when changing positions as long as the player is moving from eligible to eligible or ineligible to ineligible positions this offseason.

[SPTO]

yeah the NFL used to be very strict about this but even when they were very strict with it there were exceptions like Double Zero Kenny Borrough. The prevalence of players wearing "strange" numbers for their position can be directly attributed to Keyshawn Johnson who made a huge stink about wanting to keep his college number and eventually he got his way. Nowadays the process is a lot simpler and you're bound to see players wearing numbers that are traditionally for another position. It's never going to be as widespread as college football but it's something that's going to stay.

[colkilla]

Quote: Originally Posted by SPTO

yeah the NFL used to be very strict about this but even when they were very strict with it there were exceptions like Double Zero Kenny Borrough. The prevalence of players wearing "strange" numbers for their position can be directly attributed to Keyshawn Johnson who made a huge stink about wanting to keep his college number and eventually he got his way. Nowadays the process is a lot simpler and you're bound to see players wearing numbers that are traditionally for another position. It's never going to be as widespread as college football but it's something that's going to stay.

keyshawn's college number was 3...

[colkilla]

by the way, it mostly started out of necessity, teams have so many wr's and te's, and if they have retired numbers, the 80's can run out pretty quick. led to wr's getting to wear teen's and te's wearing 40's...