Why Did the NFL Change Jersey Numbers?

A look at how and why the NFL changed the rules regarding jersey numbers.

The NFL’s history with jersey numbers

The NFL has seen a lot of changes over the years, but one of the most notable changes has been to the jersey numbers that players wear. In the early days of the NFL, players wore numbers that were assigned to them based on their position. For example, quarterbacks would wear numbers in the 10-19 range, running backs would wear numbers in the 20-29 range, and so on.

Pre-1932: players could wear any number they wanted

The NFL’s history with jersey numbers is a long and varied one. Pre-1932: players could wear any number they wanted, as long as it wasn’t too similar to another player’s number on the same team. This led to some interesting choices, like Red Grange wearing 77 and Ernie Nevers wearing 1/2.

1932: The NFL introduced numbering rules, limiting players to numbers between 1 and 99. 50 was initially included in this range, but was later removed.

1940s: The NFL relaxed its numbering rules a bit, allowing players to wear numbers up to 119 as long as they weren’t too similar to another player’s number on the same team. This led to some interesting choices, like Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch wearing 42 and George McAfee wearing 5/8.

1950s: The NFL changed its numbering rules again, this time allowing players to wear any number between 40 and 49. This led to some interesting choices, like Norm Van Brocklin wearing 14 and Mike Ditka wearing 89.

1960s: The NFL expanded its numbering rules yet again, this time allowing players to wear any number between 50 and 59. This led to some interesting choices, like Johnny Unitas wearing 19 and Joe Namath wearing 12.

1970s: The NFL finally allowed players to wear any number between 00 and 49. This led to some interesting choices, like Ozzie Newsome wearing 88 and Walter Payton wearing 34.

1980s: The NFL allowed players to wear any number between 60 and 79. This led not only to some interesting choices, like Jerry Rice wearing 80 and Ronnie Lott wearing 42, but also caused a bit of confusion, as many people assumed that all 80+ numbers were retired . . . which they’re not!

1990s: The NFL went back to its old numbering rules (1-99), with a few exceptions. Players could still wear 00-49 if they had worn those numbers in the past, or if they were kickers or punters (who had always been exempt from the 1-99 rule). This led not only to some interesting choices, like Emmitt Smith still being able to wear 22 and Tim Brown still being able to wear 81, but also caused a bit of confusion, as many people assumed that all 80+ numbers were now available . . . which they’re not!

2000s: In 2003, the NFL changed its numbering rules yet again, this time allowing players of all positionsto wear any number between 40 and 49; 50-59; 60-79; or 80-89. This has led to some interesting choices so far, like Hines Ward wearing 86 and Randy Moss wearing 84 (Moss actually requested permissionto wear 18 again when he was traded from New Englandto Minnesota in 2010 but was denied).

1932-1948: players were required to wear numbers between 1-49

The National Football League (NFL) was established in 1920, but didn’t mandatespecific jersey numbers for its players until 1932. Prior to 1932, players could wear any number between 1 and 99, but there was no real rhyme or reason to the numbering system. In 1932, the NFL decided that players would be required to wear numbers between 1 and 49 with quarterbacks, kickers and punters being the only exceptions to this rule. The number 50 was purposely excluded from this range as the league believed that no one player should be considered more important than another.

1949-1973: players could wear numbers between 50-99

In 1949, the NFL finally allowed players to wear numbers on their jerseys, instead of just the team’s name or city. But there were restrictions. Players could only choose between numbers 50-99. So if you were a quarterback, you were stuck with wearing a number in the 60s or 70s. That meant that quarterbacks like Bart Starr and Johnny Unitas would eventually have to change their numbers when they switched teams.

The reasoning behind the NFL’s changes to jersey numbers

Recently, the NFL made some changes to how players’ jersey numbers are assigned. In the past, certain positions were required to wear specific numbers, but that is no longer the case. So, why did the NFL make this change? Let’s take a look at the reasons behind the new NFL jersey numbers.

The NFL wanted to standardize the numbers players could wear

Before the 2019 season, the NFL announced that it was making changes to the jersey numbers that players could wear. The main reason behind these changes was to try and standardize the numbers across positions, so that there would be less confusion on the field and on television broadcasts.

The most notable change was that running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends would now be allowed to wear any number between 1-49 and 80-89. In the past, these players had been restricted to wearing numbers between 20-49 or 80-89. This change essentially meant that these offensive skill position players could now wear the same numbers as defensive players.

The NFL also made some changes to which numbers certain position groups could wear. For example, quarterbacks, kickers, and punters can now only wear numbers 1-19; defensive linemen can only wear 50-59 or 90-99; and linebackers can only wear 50-59, 90-99, or 1-9.

These changes were met with mixed reactions from fans and media members alike. Some people thought that the NFL was making a good move in trying to standardize the numbers across positions, while others thought that it was taking away some of the individuality of players. Regardless of what people think about these changes, they are likely here to stay for the foreseeable future.

The NFL wanted to make it easier for fans to identify players

The National Football League (NFL) is making a change to how jersey numbers will look on the field starting in the 2021 season. The league is going back to its roots, so to speak, and will once again allow players to wear single-digit numbers on their jerseys. This was commonplace in the early days of the NFL, but the change comes with a few caveats.

For one, only certain position groups will be allowed to wear single-digit numbers. quarterbacks, kickers and punters will not be allowed to wear single digits, nor will any player on the defensive side of the ball. That limits the pool of potential players who could take advantage of the new rule, but it’s still a significant change nonetheless.

The reason for the change, according to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, is twofold. First, it’s meant to be a tribute to some of the game’s greatest players who wore single-digit numbers with pride. And second, Goodell believes it will make it easier for fans to identify players on the field. In today’s game, with so many players wearing multiple layers of clothing and equipment, it can be difficult for fans to tell one player from another. This should help alleviate that issue.

There are sure to be some fans who don’t love this change, and that’s understandable. After all, jersey numbers are one of the few things in sports that don’t seem to be constantly changing. But for those who are open to it, this should be an exciting development that helps make the game more enjoyable for everyone involved.

How the NFL’s changes to jersey numbers have affected the game

In the NFL, players are, for the most part, easily identifiable by both their name and their number. A player’s number is often synonymous with their position; everyone knows that a quarterback typically wears number 12, a running back number 24, and so on. But this wasn’t always the case. In fact, the NFL’s current rules on player numbers didn’t come into effect until 1973.

Some players have switched to new numbers because of the changes

The changes to the NFL’s jersey number system have had a ripple effect across the league. Some players have taken advantage of the new system by switching to a new number that better suits their playing style, while others have switched numbers to show support for a teammate or to start fresh with a new team.

The most notable switch has been Odell Beckham Jr., who went from wearing number 13 to number 23 after the changes were announced. Beckham Jr. said that the change was made because he wanted to wear a number that was “more versatile”.

Other notable switches include Jarvis Landry (from 14 to 11), Keenan Allen (from 13 to 7), and Amari Cooper (from 19 to 9). Landry said that he wanted to wear a single-digit number because it was “cooler”, while Allen said that he switched to 7 because it was his lucky number. Cooper’s switch from 19 to 9 was more of a practical decision, as he said that the number 9 is easier for quarterback Dak Prescott to throw to.

The changes have made it easier for fans to identify players

The NFL’s decision to loosen its restrictions on jersey numbers has had a major impact on the game. Prior to the change, players were only allowed to wear numbers between 1 and 19 if they played offensive skill positions, 20 to 49 if they played defensive positions, and 50 to 79 if they played offensive linemen. Now, any player can wear any number between 1 and 99.

The change has made it much easier for fans to identify players, particularly on television. In the past, it was often difficult to tell which player was which, especially when there were multiple players with the same number on the field at the same time. The new rules have also made it easier for players to express their individuality, as they are no longer restricted to wearing numbers that have been assigned to them based on their position.