How Important Is a Rookie's Selection of His NFL Number?

Its natural for most rookies just entering the league to have some degree of interest in what his number will be, especially considering it can help define his legacy. However, most players are not overly rigid in their number preference and typically show willingness to be flexible in their initial request. Some guys will do nearly anything to get the number they want.

They say the number on the jersey doesnt make the man; its the man who makes the number on the jersey. Theres about as much truth to this as there is with fashion.

A charismatic superstar can undoubtedly enhance the appeal of any number, but some numbers are inherently more attractive than others.

Just think about how sleek and elevated Deion Sanders appears when the No. 21 is displayed on his jersey and compare that to when he wore No. 37 for the Ravens. There are clearly limits to how desirable the number 37 can be. But maybe this connection has to do with Deion already establishing himself in the 21 jersey while No. 37 was never given the benefit of the more dominant version of Primetime.

To that angle I say this: Randy Moss never really had one specific jersey number most identifiable to his career, and yet the number he looked best wearing was the one he had the least success in, which came when he wore No. 18 while in Oakland.

Ultimately, the jersey number can be of great importance to some rookies entering the NFL. Of course, how much it actually matters all depends on which rookie you talk to. In many cases, an established vet will already have dibs on that special jersey number youve worn since you were 11 years old and claiming it just isnt an option; or is it?

Some guys are willing to pay quite a sum in order to get the jersey number they want. Depending on how important that number is to the current owner, arrangements can be made to deal that number at the right price. Clinton Portis, though not a rookie at the time, was willing to cough up $40,000 to defensive back Ifeanyi Ohalete in exchange for the No. 26after he was traded to the Washington Redskins.

The offers and requests can also be unique exchanges like kitchen remodels, vehicles or perhaps something fun like the all-expenses paid tropical vacation Eli Manning gave punter Jeff Feagles for the No. 10; other times, the traditional cash transaction is the method of choice, as mentioned earlier.

The fact that theres a market for NFL jersey numbers is the embodiment of the mentality everythings for sale, its just a matter of how much someones willing to pay. It also provides some insight into just how much a number on a jersey can mean to a player.

Just as the degree of importance for jersey numbers varies, so too do the reasons. For some, those reasons point to tradition. For others, superstition fuels the flame. Even pure aesthetics can drive a players love for a specific number while many players are inspired by a childhood hero or admiration for longtime favorite player.

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How Important Is a Rookie's Selection of His NFL Number?