Posted on 04/12/2006 7:38:22 AM PDT by Cyclopean Squid
How much trouble is a number worth?
Reggie Bush, projected as the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, thinks it's at least worth petitioning the league.
"I want to see if I can keep No. 5," Bush told ESPN The Magazine on the set of a Subway commercial he was shooting in Los Angeles.
The former USC running back and 2005 Heisman Trophy winner has been wearing that jersey number since high school. NFL rules, however, don't allow for running backs to take that number -- 33 years ago the league adopted a numbering system to make it easier for officials to differentiate players by position.
Under the rule, quarterbacks, punters and placekickers wear numbers 1 through 19. Running backs and defensive backs are assigned 20 through 49, while wide receivers and tight ends are given numbers 80 through 89.
Two years ago, due to the increasing amount of retired numbers and more wide receivers and tight ends coming into the league, the NFL allowed those position players to wear either 10-19 or 80-89. A number of wide receivers have been wearing lower-numbered jerseys since, among them Larry Fitzgerald of Arizona (11), Plaxico Burress of New York and Braylon Edwards of Cleveland (17), Randy Moss of Oakland (18) and Troy Williamson of Minnesota (19).
Bush wants to push it one step further to stick with No. 5.
"I think someone else was able to get their number changed, but even if they turn me down I think it's worth a try," Bush said.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined to comment on Bush's plan to petition the league, though history is working against him. In 2004, running back Edgerrin James talked to the NFL about letting him wearing No. 5, which he had worn in Pop Warner, high school and at the University of Miami, but he was reportedly rebuffed.
Jersey numbers have turned into a big business. Players routinely have paid thousands of dollars for a jersey of their liking.
There has even been a lawsuit -- two years ago, Ifeanyi Ohalete agreed to sell No. 26 to his new Washington Redskins teammate Clinton Portis for $40,000. But Ohalete, who was released from the team before the season, sued after Portis didn't pay him half of the fee. The two eventually reached a settlement worth $18,000.
Bush has extra incentive to try to land No. 5. His Subway commercial, which debuted on Monday, encourages fans to "get inside No. 5" and features that number throughout the spot.
If Bush could somehow convince the league to allow him to wear No. 5, he's in luck if he gets drafted by the Houston Texans. No player on the team currently wears that number.
Said Bush: "If I have to pick a new number, I have no idea what it would be."
ESPN.com senior writer Darren Rovell contributed to this story
ping
When I was playing ball I always chose #2 or #22. It was a reminder to me to play harder (remember the old Avis commercials?).
Maybe he can be number 5 in Arena Football.
I always wanted #44.
Bush will be the number one draft pick in this year's NFL draft. But he has other commitments that will prevent him from playing until the 2009 season.
-Eric
always thought that was kinda cool
25's a good one. I like how it kinda looks the same forwards and backwards (8 has that too). I also like 9 (I'm a fan of the crazy number 9, for all the answers you may find, it all comes back to 9--4x9=36, and 3+6=9, and so on). Also, the music they could play when I came out would be the Beatles' Revolution 9, the part that just keeps saying "#9, #9, #9..."
I wonder why the officials need to differentiate between offensive skills players. An RB can pass the ball the same as a QB, are they restricted from kicking the ball? I can see the o-line having different numbers, but I don't quite understand the differentiation between skills players.
I'd choose either #8 (Cal Ripken) or #19 (Steve Yzerman) :)
I don't go my list handy at the moment...sorry guys
It's pretty pompous to come into the league and think the rules will be changed for you.
I've got to start reading more than just the headline. I couldn't figure out why George Bush would be more appealing if he wore Chanel #5.
Also, I can't believe we're to post 15, and nobody has chosen to wear #69...or #77 because it's eight more than 69.
It's unlikely that the NFL will accomodate him, but it was worth a shot.
Maybe Subway can help broker the deal for him.
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