The Single Digit Rule and Why We Need To Change It Already
While I like the new single digit rule, I don’t love it yet.
Today the NFL voted to implement the new number rule which will allow running backs, receivers, tight ends, linebackers, and defensive backs to wear single digit numbers like many of these athletes wore in college.
I do have one issue with this rule though. I am fine with offensive linemen having to wear 50-79 but cmon, let the defensive line rock single digits.
In college football there is nothing more intimidating than seeing a 320 pound nose tackle wearing number 1, or a 6’6 edge rusher with the number 9. It’s just a sleek look for the big dogs in the trenches and needs to be added to this rule.
For example, one of my favorite players in the league right now is Carolina Panthers run stopper Derrick Brown. Since entering the league last season, he’s been subjected to wearing number 95 but, in college he got to rock number 5.
Imagine being an NFC gunslinger and getting sacked by a massive monster wearing number 5? Wouldn’t make for a fun day.
Another instance was one of my favorite college players, who unfortunately passed away this year, Louis Nix III. Louis was far from tiny and had a big time impact in the run game but, one thing set him apart. The fact that he wore number 1.
He was really the first 300 pound pass rusher that I ever saw wear a single digit and for some reason, I just thought it was unreal. Nix was always a single digit guy in college. Before number 1 was stretched across his torso, he sported a big number 9.
If that type of electricity was brought to the league, jersey sales would skyrocket. Shit, I would buy 20 different jerseys of defensive linemen who are wearing number 1 or number 7.
My last example before I rest my case is the Shawn Oakman example. If you’re my age, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Shawn Oakman wore the number two and it had to stretch vertically up his 6’9 frame and never covered his 8 pack abs.
Oakman went viral for his crop top number 2 jersey but, if he had to wear number 91 or 93 in the NFL, you lose the lore of Shawn Oakman. If he got to wear number 2, he holds onto another aspect of his intimidation.
Roger, when you read this, just give me a call; you have my number. We’ll talk in the man cave and discuss my appeal to let the big boys, the dancing bears, the maulers in the trenches to wear single digit numbers.