AP Photo/Chris Szagola
What's in a number?
Eagles tell their stories
Walk around the Philadelphia area and you're bound to encounter a fan in an Eagles player's jersey. The number on that jersey is determined by Greg Delimitros, the team's director of equipment operations, now in his 13th year with the Eagles.
Delimitros starts with a 90-man roster and works within restrictions from the NFL, noting numbers that are off-limits by the league, and the need to satisfy the demands of some players who are more particular than others.
"I call those guys as soon as they get drafted, and I give them their options of what numbers are available," Delimitros said. "If somebody's gung-ho about a number and another player is wearing that number, depending who it is, then we can possibly swap out. Plus, you've got to go through league protocol."
The Eagles have formally retired Nos. 5, 15, 20, 40, 44, 60, 70, 92, and 99.
They also don't like to give away Randall Cunningham's No. 12. So that's 10 numbers that players cannot claim.
Then the NFL has restrictions by positions.
Quarterbacks, punters, and kickers must wear 1 through 19; running backs and defensive backs must wear 20 through 49; wide receivers can wear 10 through 19 or 80 through 89; tight ends can wear 80 through 89 with special exceptions for H-backs; offensive linemen can wear 60 through 79, although centers can be in the 50s; defensive linemen can wear 50 through 59, 70 through 79 and 90 through 99, and linebackers share the defensive line numbers but can also wear numbers in the 40s.
Some players want a number based on how it looks on them; others want it for a player they admired or a superstition; and some players just accept whatever Delimitros gives them. But the process is not simple, and in some cases, the number is significant.
Fans "have no idea," Delimitros said.
Here is the story on the number for every player on the Eagles:
I chose my number because:
6
K Caleb Sturgis
It was what was left. I've grown to like it.
8
P Donnie Jones
My rookie year I was 9 and I didn't have a very good year. I only played six games. When I got to Miami, I wanted to change, so I wore No. 5. I wore No. 5 for eight years. And when I got here, 5's not available. I had my choice, and I chose 8. It's been good to me so far. I'll keep rolling with it.
10
QB Chase Daniel
Other than high school when I had to wear No. 4 because 10 was taken - even grade school, beginning of my sports career - I've always been No. 10. Every sport. Other than my high school days, it's always been 10. It's got a special place in my heart now because I've been in it for 20 years.
11
QB Carson Wentz
In high school, I was No. 20. They didn't let me wear 20 in college - 11 was open, I ran with it, and I like it.
16
WR Bryce Treggs
I got off the plane, walked into the locker room, and 16 was there. . . . I think it's a dope number. I'd rather have a teen than something in the 80s because I'm a smaller guy. Big dudes look good in 80 numbers, but smaller guys look good in teens, so I'm happy to be in the teens.
17
WR Nelson Agholor
When I first got it, a lot of the players I respected in the league had it. Alshon [Jeffery, of the Chicago Bears] was one of my first close friends in the NFL that played the receiver position - and he wore 17. So when I looked at the number, I was like, 'I can be like AJ17.' But a lot of great players wore 17 in this league. Obviously we have a great player here in our organization, Harold Carmichael, who wore it. But if it was up to me, I'd wear 15 - 15 was my college number, but 17 is a great number also. And as I think about it now, I build up little stories for it all the time. I'm one of seven people in my family.
18
WR Dorial Green-Beckham
Really, holding it down for my Missouri guy [Jeremy Maclin].
21
CB Leodis McKelvin
21 has been that number I've always loved. When I played baseball in high school, I was 3. So you add 2 plus 1. I like Deion [Sanders]. And 21 just fit me. It's slim. You can't just have a big number if you're small or slim. So 21 fit perfectly fine. I love 21.
22
CB Nolan Carroll
For me, my first varsity football jersey was 4. So I've got a history. In college, I couldn't get 4, so I got 14. When I got into the league, I couldn't get 24, so I got 28 because 2 divided into 8 is 4. When I came here, I got 23 and I wanted 24, but I couldn't. When 22 opened up, 22 was 2 plus 2 is 4 - 4 is my number.
23
S Rodney McLeod
I had 38 when I was a rookie in the preseason, and then one of my coaches was like, 'You need to switch that number.' It just didn't look good on me. I knew that, but I didn't know I could switch. So when I made the team, I switched. They had 25 and 23. I wore 23 before, my freshman year [in high school], so I was like, 'I wore that number before, I'm going to roll with 23.' Not because of [Michael] Jordan or anything. Just the number opened up and me being comfortable because I wore it in high school freshman year. I chose it here because I had it all four years at St. Louis.
24
RB Ryan Mathews
When I was in San Diego, I couldn't get 21 [because of LaDainian Tomlinson]. . . . That's just his number. So I went with 24, it's the next best thing. I like it. It's suited me well.
26
S Jaylen Watkins
I didn't like 37 much, and I'm a [Florida] Gator, Lito [Sheppard] is a Gator. I wanted 26 when I first got here, Cary [Williams] had it. I wanted it my second year, but Walt [Thurmond] had it. So it's not much significance, but I know Lito played well in it, I'm a Gator, he's a Gator, so I wanted to get 26.
27
S Malcolm Jenkins
I wore 2 in high school up until college. When I got to the league, the only 20 number available was 27. So I kept it. I just needed to have the 2 in there somewhere. That's my number.
28
RB Wendell Smallwood
What came to mind was Correll Buckhalter, how hard he worked. He wasn't the main guy. He was in a committee. . . . I liked the way he worked, did what he had to do, stepped up in some big games. That's what [28] means to me. Most people think Adrian Peterson. [Buckhalter] is who I think, though, because he was one of my idols coming up when I was young.
29
S Terrence Brooks
I don't know much history about it here in this organization, but to me, the significance was getting a fresh start, a new opportunity with a new team and a lot of people who believe in me and what I can do as a player. It's a number I'll wear proudly while I'm here.
31
CB Jalen Mills
Thirty-one teams passed up on me. Philly was the 32nd. They took a chance on me.
33
CB Ron Brooks
3 is my favorite number. It had been my number. In college, on defensive side, you couldn't have a single-digit number. I was 3 in high school and growing up, and then college I went to 13, and then in the NFL, you can't have anything lower than 20. All the good 20 numbers were gone, so I got to put in 33. And I've had it for five years. I love it. The power of the 3.
34
RB Kenjon Barner
Absolutely nothing. That's what they gave to me. It's a number.
37
CB C.J. Smith
It’s just the number they gave me. It’s not a bad number, but I’ll probably change it next year … if I can get a number in the 20s. My favorite number was 6, but I can’t wear 6. So I probably have to look into it, see what numbers are available next year. But nothing special.
38
CB Aaron Grymes
When I came here, they gave me 38, and I ran with it. I love it. I was 36 in Canada, which I don’t think is an ideal DB number, but I just used it as a chip on the shoulder. Kind of like my mind-set I was like, ‘You have to earn the respect of a different number.’ But then once you earn that respect, you already made your name in that number. So you keep it up. So it’s a chip I put on my shoulder for motivation for no reason.
42
S Chris Maragos
My first game in the league, I got a bottom-of-the-barrel number. There were times where they might have wanted to change, and I said, 'I'm not changing it.' I got 42 when I was nothing coming in as an undrafted guy, and now that I'm here making plays, I'm going to stay with it and make it a good number.
43
RB Darren Sproles
That was my dad's number when he played in high school.
46
LS Jon Dorenbos
They said, 'What number do you want?' And you know what I told them? 'The number don't make the player. The player makes the number. What do you got?' And they gave me a list, and I [picked randomly]. 'I'll take 46.' Since then, almost every snapper has been 46 now.
47
TE Trey Burton
They just gave it to me, because when Chip [Kelly] was here, I had to play running back, tight end, and wide receiver. And that's one of the only numbers you can do all three. . . . My favorite player growing up was Mike Alstott, and he was 40. And obviously I love John Lynch, too - I'm from Tampa, so I followed the Buccaneers. Actually, you know what's funny? My first year ever playing tackle football, I was No. 47.
50
LB Stephen Tulloch
I used to wear 55 until I got it. [Brandon] Graham had it - 50 I wore in college. Just like it.
51
DE Steven Means
Not initially, but now, it [signifies] perseverance through a lot of stuff. Coming in here, coming off of practice squad, getting a chance to get active, then play a different position, switch back to the initial position, and then fight through the uphill battle of training camp, not knowing if you’ll be here, putting it all in God’s hands. So 51 is just a number that showed me where I started from, battled from in a tough position, and just fought through it. And still fighting.
52
LB Najee Goode
Significance of 5-2? That's a lucky number 7. If you get a 5-2 in craps, you're hitting. So I just stuck with it.
53
LB Nigel Bradham
It's my trademark. When everybody knows my name, they relate it to 53 . . . ever since I've been in the league. Five years now. I was 13 in college. It was easy to give a 50 number, 53 was available. They knew I liked it. Stuck with it, and I even got a tattoo.
54
LB Kamu Grugier-Hill
I'm a rookie, and just was given it. . . . I know [Jeremiah Trotter] was a beast.
55
DE Brandon Graham
That was the first number I got when I was in Little League. . . . Only reason I had 54 was because Stewart Bradley had 55. Then Darryl Tapp came and grabbed it for a year. And then I came and got it right after him.
56
DE Bryan Braman
It's the number they gave me. Obviously, I like the fact that some of the greatest pass rushers and linebackers have worn the number. It's a long line of Hall of Famers.
58
LB Jordan Hicks
The significance is it was the only one left. Because I walked into Greg's office the very first day I got here after the draft, and he said the only one we've got is 58. It's a really good number. I remember before I even played a snap, everyone was telling me I've got a lot to live up to [because of Trent Cole].
61
G/C Stefen Wisniewski
I've been wearing it my whole life - high school, college, my other two pro teams. I picked it because it was my dad's number when he was in college at first. He had to change it later, change his number in the pros, but he was 61 for awhile. I wear it because of that.
62
C Jason Kelce
Number they gave me when they drafted me. I had a coach tell me a long time ago that the player makes the number, not the other way around. I've kind of taken whatever number they gave me wherever I've been. I've never been big on wanting particular numbers.
64
G/T Matt Tobin
I was a free agent, and they just gave me whatever number was open. I like it. My college number was 60. I like 64 better. Looks better.
65
T Lane Johnson
65 was given to me when I got here. Had no choice. Wanted to switch to 69 eventually, which Evan Mathis had, but then decided to keep 65 and create my own legacy in that number.
68
C/G Josh Andrews
No significance. It's the number they gave me, and I rock with it. I like it. It's a good number.
69
G Dillon Gordon
It's different. At first, I wasn't with it, but then after a while I was like, I'll make the most of it.
71
T Jason Peters
Walter Jones. . . . I never really met the guy, but he's the guy when I moved to left tackle that I watched, so that's why I'm 71. It's going well so far.
72
T Halapoulivaati Vaitai
I had 74 for a long time - high school, college, middle school. When I got to the league, I was like, 'Man, I've got to change something.' I wanted to keep it an even number. 78 was on my mind, but then I was, like, 72 looks like a legendary number. And plus, my girlfriend wanted it. I said I just wanted something different. At first I wanted 69. But 72, she liked it. . . . Every time I sign a ball, my brain is conditioned to write 74. So I've got to recondition it.
73
G Isaac Seumalo
They told me to pick a number. They gave me a bunch of numbers. They were all in the 70s.
75
DE Vinny Curry
'I wear 75 because that's how many people died in my college plane crash.' (Curry went to Marshall; in 1970, a plane full of Marshall football players, staff, and boosters crashed short of Tri-State Airport in West Virginia.)
76
G/T Allen Barbre
I wore 76 all through high school, college. Then I got it in college. And I never had it [in the pros] until I was here. I just like the number.
77
DT Taylor Hart
There is none. I’m happy to have the number. … I chose [97] when I first came here, but no significance.
79
G Brandon Brooks
A guy pretty influential in my life wore 79 when he played in the pros for a little bit, Jarrod Johnson.
81
WR Jordan Matthews
There were a couple ones I wanted before 81. I wanted 80 first, obviously, [because of] my cousin [Jerry Rice]. I wanted 87 because of college. [Brent] Celek had it. So I was the next one in my family to go to the league. 80, Jerry. 81, me.
86
TE Zach Ertz
When I was admitted to Stanford - two months before we got there, Coach [David] Shaw texted me and was like, 'What number do you want?' In high school I was No. 5, and I said I don't really care, obviously, but this is what I was in high school. He said, 'I'm going to give you 86 because you remind us all of Todd Heap.'
87
TE Brent Celek
It didn't really mean too much to me coming in. I was always 85 in college, and they just gave [87] to me. I just stuck with it. That's my number, it's been my number for 10 years. I love it. I guess I identify with it. Nothing sentimental. Numbers never did it for me.
90
DE Marcus Smith
I don't have a significance behind my jersey. Whatever number they put me in, that's what I play. I had 91 in college, and Fletch is 91, so I had to drop a number.
91
DT Fletcher Cox
I was 94 in college. You know what people tell me all the time? I think Reggie [White] had 91. He had 92, but he had 91 at first.
94
DT Beau Allen
It's very significant, very important to me, because this is the number they assigned me when they drafted me. I just think it's a solid number. I like 90s numbers on defensive linemen. A lot of good defensive linemen have worn 94.
95
LB Mychal Kendricks
It's kind of like a big number on who would be considered a little dude. Greg gave it to me my rookie year because there were no other numbers available, and he was like, 'It'll be different.' He talked me into it, because I was hella sad. When I first came in, he assigned me the number, and I was super sad about it because I was like, 'I'm a linebacker, I want a 50 number.' And he was like, 'Hey, man, it's different, it'll look good on you!' Telling me all the things I want to hear, knowing that I wouldn't be too satisfied with it. And I was a rookie, so I didn't really have a choice. Because every one who's a vet had earned their numbers. . . . I wanted 99, that's retired, so he's like, 'You got 95.' . . . I took the 95, I called my brother, Chad. He's like, 'what number did you get?' I said, 'They gave me 95, I'm hella sad.' He's like, 'Cool, man, that's sweet!' Because I guess back in the day, 95 was a good number. It's a universal number - you can see 95 on race cars. He was talking about Starter jerseys. He said the number back in the day, in the 80s, was 95 - 95 was like that number. So I guess every time I see 95 - Urban Outfitters sells shirts with 95 on it. It's a good number to have. I-95, so that's cool. It kind of grew on me. It's grown into something.
96
DT Bennie Logan
I just feel once you go to a new stage from college to the pros, it's a new era. So I think it's a new time for you to reestablish yourself. I kind of wanted 93 because I had that my first few years at LSU. But I just like 96, it's good, it's a new era for me and a new time in my life. Kind of do my own thing with the 96.
97
DT Destiny Vaeao
It's a special number. That's why I picked it in college. I've been rocking it the whole time. I wanted the same number when I got here, but [Taylor Hart] got it. When I got the opportunity to get that number, it's something you've got to be proud of and represent.
98
DE Connor Barwin
They gave three options [as a linebacker with the Houston Texans] - 98 was the best number, and that's how I got the number. And ever since - I got it my rookie year, I liked it, I stuck with it. I don't remember [the other options]. They were bad options. I just liked 98 because I thought it was a good number playing linebacker, even though it's more of a defensive end number. But I liked having a defensive end number at linebacker.
10
QB Chase Daniel
Other than high school when I had to wear No. 4 because 10 was taken - even grade school, beginning of my sports career - I've always been No. 10. Every sport. Other than my high school days, it's always been 10. It's got a special place in my heart now because I've been in it for 20 years.
11
QB Carson Wentz
In high school, I was No. 20. They didn't let me wear 20 in college - 11 was open, I ran with it, and I like it.
55
DE Brandon Graham
That was the first number I got when I was in Little League. . . . Only reason I had 54 was because Stewart Bradley had 55. Then Darryl Tapp came and grabbed it for a year. And then I came and got it right after him.
61
G/C Stefen Wisniewski
I've been wearing it my whole life - high school, college, my other two pro teams. I picked it because it was my dad's number when he was in college at first. He had to change it later, change his number in the pros, but he was 61 for awhile. I wear it because of that.
76
G/T Allen Barbre
I wore 76 all through high school, college. Then I got it in college. And I never had it [in the pros] until I was here. I just like the number.
86
TE Zach Ertz
When I was admitted to Stanford - two months before we got there, Coach [David] Shaw texted me and was like, 'What number do you want?' In high school I was No. 5, and I said I don't really care, obviously, but this is what I was in high school. He said, 'I'm going to give you 86 because you remind us all of Todd Heap.'
97
DT Destiny Vaeao
It's a special number. That's why I picked it in college. I've been rocking it the whole time. I wanted the same number when I got here, but [Taylor Hart] got it. When I got the opportunity to get that number, it's something you've got to be proud of and represent.
98
DE Connor Barwin
They gave three options [as a linebacker with the Houston Texans] - 98 was the best number, and that's how I got the number. And ever since - I got it my rookie year, I liked it, I stuck with it. I don't remember [the other options]. They were bad options. I just liked 98 because I thought it was a good number playing linebacker, even though it's more of a defensive end number. But I liked having a defensive end number at linebacker.
6
K Caleb Sturgis
It was what was left. I've grown to like it.
8
P Donnie Jones
My rookie year I was 9 and I didn't have a very good year. I only played six games. When I got to Miami, I wanted to change, so I wore No. 5. I wore No. 5 for eight years. And when I got here, 5's not available. I had my choice, and I chose 8. It's been good to me so far. I'll keep rolling with it.
16
WR Bryce Treggs
I got off the plane, walked into the locker room, and 16 was there. . . . I think it's a dope number. I'd rather have a teen than something in the 80s because I'm a smaller guy. Big dudes look good in 80 numbers, but smaller guys look good in teens, so I'm happy to be in the teens.
24
RB Ryan Mathews
When I was in San Diego, I couldn't get 21 [because of LaDainian Tomlinson]. . . . That's just his number. So I went with 24, it's the next best thing. I like it. It's suited me well.
34
RB Kenjon Barner
Absolutely nothing. That's what they gave to me. It's a number.
37
CB C.J. Smith
It’s just the number they gave me. It’s not a bad number, but I’ll probably change it next year … if I can get a number in the 20s. My favorite number was 6, but I can’t wear 6. So I probably have to look into it, see what numbers are available next year. But nothing special.
38
CB Aaron Grymes
When I came here, they gave me 38, and I ran with it. I love it. I was 36 in Canada, which I don’t think is an ideal DB number, but I just used it as a chip on the shoulder. Kind of like my mind-set I was like, ‘You have to earn the respect of a different number.’ But then once you earn that respect, you already made your name in that number. So you keep it up. So it’s a chip I put on my shoulder for motivation for no reason.
42
S Chris Maragos
My first game in the league, I got a bottom-of-the-barrel number. There were times where they might have wanted to change, and I said, 'I'm not changing it.' I got 42 when I was nothing coming in as an undrafted guy, and now that I'm here making plays, I'm going to stay with it and make it a good number.
46
LS Jon Dorenbos
They said, 'What number do you want?' And you know what I told them? 'The number don't make the player. The player makes the number. What do you got?' And they gave me a list, and I [picked randomly]. 'I'll take 46.' Since then, almost every snapper has been 46 now.
47
TE Trey Burton
They just gave it to me, because when Chip [Kelly] was here, I had to play running back, tight end, and wide receiver. And that's one of the only numbers you can do all three. . . . My favorite player growing up was Mike Alstott, and he was 40. And obviously I love John Lynch, too - I'm from Tampa, so I followed the Buccaneers. Actually, you know what's funny? My first year ever playing tackle football, I was No. 47.
54
LB Kamu Grugier-Hill
I'm a rookie, and just was given it. . . . I know [Jeremiah Trotter] was a beast.
56
DE Bryan Braman
It's the number they gave me. Obviously, I like the fact that some of the greatest pass rushers and linebackers have worn the number. It's a long line of Hall of Famers.
58
LB Jordan Hicks
The significance is it was the only one left. Because I walked into Greg's office the very first day I got here after the draft, and he said the only one we've got is 58. It's a really good number. I remember before I even played a snap, everyone was telling me I've got a lot to live up to [because of Trent Cole].
62
C Jason Kelce
Number they gave me when they drafted me. I had a coach tell me a long time ago that the player makes the number, not the other way around. I've kind of taken whatever number they gave me wherever I've been. I've never been big on wanting particular numbers.
64
G/T Matt Tobin
I was a free agent, and they just gave me whatever number was open. I like it. My college number was 60. I like 64 better. Looks better.
65
T Lane Johnson
65 was given to me when I got here. Had no choice. Wanted to switch to 69 eventually, which Evan Mathis had, but then decided to keep 65 and create my own legacy in that number.
68
C/G Josh Andrews
No significance. It's the number they gave me, and I rock with it. I like it. It's a good number.
69
G Dillon Gordon
It's different. At first, I wasn't with it, but then after a while I was like, I'll make the most of it.
73
G Isaac Seumalo
They told me to pick a number. They gave me a bunch of numbers. They were all in the 70s.
77
DT Taylor Hart
There is none. I’m happy to have the number. … I chose [97] when I first came here, but no significance.
87
TE Brent Celek
It didn't really mean too much to me coming in. I was always 85 in college, and they just gave [87] to me. I just stuck with it. That's my number, it's been my number for 10 years. I love it. I guess I identify with it. Nothing sentimental. Numbers never did it for me.
90
DE Marcus Smith
I don't have a significance behind my jersey. Whatever number they put me in, that's what I play. I had 91 in college, and Fletch is 91, so I had to drop a number.
17
WR Nelson Agholor
When I first got it, a lot of the players I respected in the league had it. Alshon [Jeffery, of the Chicago Bears] was one of my first close friends in the NFL that played the receiver position - and he wore 17. So when I looked at the number, I was like, 'I can be like AJ17.' But a lot of great players wore 17 in this league. Obviously we have a great player here in our organization, Harold Carmichael, who wore it. But if it was up to me, I'd wear 15 - 15 was my college number, but 17 is a great number also. And as I think about it now, I build up little stories for it all the time. I'm one of seven people in my family.
18
WR Dorial Green-Beckham
Really, holding it down for my Missouri guy [Jeremy Maclin].
26
S Jaylen Watkins
I didn't like 37 much, and I'm a [Florida] Gator, Lito [Sheppard] is a Gator. I wanted 26 when I first got here, Cary [Williams] had it. I wanted it my second year, but Walt [Thurmond] had it. So it's not much significance, but I know Lito played well in it, I'm a Gator, he's a Gator, so I wanted to get 26.
28
RB Wendell Smallwood
What came to mind was Correll Buckhalter, how hard he worked. He wasn't the main guy. He was in a committee. . . . I liked the way he worked, did what he had to do, stepped up in some big games. That's what [28] means to me. Most people think Adrian Peterson. [Buckhalter] is who I think, though, because he was one of my idols coming up when I was young.
43
RB Darren Sproles
That was my dad's number when he played in high school.
71
T Jason Peters
Walter Jones. . . . I never really met the guy, but he's the guy when I moved to left tackle that I watched, so that's why I'm 71. It's going well so far.
79
G Brandon Brooks
A guy pretty influential in my life wore 79 when he played in the pros for a little bit, Garrett Johnson.
29
S Terrence Brooks
I don't know much history about it here in this organization, but to me, the significance was getting a fresh start, a new opportunity with a new team and a lot of people who believe in me and what I can do as a player. It's a number I'll wear proudly while I'm here.
51
DE Steven Means
Not initially, but now, it [signifies] perseverance through a lot of stuff. Coming in here, coming off of practice squad, getting a chance to get active, then play a different position, switch back to the initial position, and then fight through the uphill battle of training camp, not knowing if you’ll be here, putting it all in God’s hands. So 51 is just a number that showed me where I started from, battled from in a tough position, and just fought through it. And still fighting.
53
LB Nigel Bradham
It's my trademark. When everybody knows my name, they relate it to 53 . . . ever since I've been in the league. Five years now. I was 13 in college. It was easy to give a 50 number, 53 was available. They knew I liked it. Stuck with it, and I even got a tattoo.
75
DE Vinny Curry
'I wear 75 because that's how many people died in my college plane crash.' (Curry went to Marshall; in 1970, a plane full of Marshall football players, staff, and boosters crashed short of Tri-State Airport in West Virginia.)
96
DT Bennie Logan
I just feel once you go to a new stage from college to the pros, it's a new era. So I think it's a new time for you to reestablish yourself. I kind of wanted 93 because I had that my first few years at LSU. But I just like 96, it's good, it's a new era for me and a new time in my life. Kind of do my own thing with the 96.
21
CB Leodis McKelvin
21 has been that number I've always loved. When I played baseball in high school, I was 3. So you add 2 plus 1. I like Deion [Sanders]. And 21 just fit me. It's slim. You can't just have a big number if you're small or slim. So 21 fit perfectly fine. I love 21.
22
CB Nolan Carroll
For me, my first varsity football jersey was 4. So I've got a history. In college, I couldn't get 4, so I got 14. When I got into the league, I couldn't get 24, so I got 28 because 2 divided into 8 is 4. When I came here, I got 23 and I wanted 24, but I couldn't. When 22 opened up, 22 was 2 plus 2 is 4 - 4 is my number.
23
S Rodney McLeod
I had 38 when I was a rookie in the preseason, and then one of my coaches was like, 'You need to switch that number.' It just didn't look good on me. I knew that, but I didn't know I could switch. So when I made the team, I switched. They had 25 and 23. I wore 23 before, my freshman year [in high school], so I was like, 'I wore that number before, I'm going to roll with 23.' Not because of [Michael] Jordan or anything. Just the number opened up and me being comfortable because I wore it in high school freshman year. I chose it here because I had it all four years at St. Louis.
27
S Malcolm Jenkins
I wore 2 in high school up until college. When I got to the league, the only 20 number available was 27. So I kept it. I just needed to have the 2 in there somewhere. That's my number.
31
CB Jalen Mills
Thirty-one teams passed up on me. Philly was the 32nd. They took a chance on me.
50
LB Stephen Tulloch
I used to wear 55 until I got it. [Brandon] Graham had it - 50 I wore in college. Just like it.
52
LB Najee Goode
Significance of 5-2? That's a lucky number 7. If you get a 5-2 in craps, you're hitting. So I just stuck with it.
72
T Halapoulivaati Vaitai
I had 74 for a long time - high school, college, middle school. When I got to the league, I was like, 'Man, I've got to change something.' I wanted to keep it an even number. 78 was on my mind, but then I was, like, 72 looks like a legendary number. And plus, my girlfriend wanted it. I said I just wanted something different. At first I wanted 69. But 72, she liked it. . . . Every time I sign a ball, my brain is conditioned to write 74. So I've got to recondition it.
81
WR Jordan Matthews
There were a couple ones I wanted before 81. I wanted 80 first, obviously, [because of] my cousin [Jerry Rice]. I wanted 87 because of college. [Brent] Celek had it. So I was the next one in my family to go to the league. 80, Jerry. 81, me.
91
DT Fletcher Cox
I was 94 in college. You know what people tell me all the time? I think Reggie [White] had 91. He had 92, but he had 91 at first.
94
DT Beau Allen
It's very significant, very important to me, because this is the number they assigned me when they drafted me. I just think it's a solid number. I like 90s numbers on defensive linemen. A lot of good defensive linemen have worn 94.
95
LB Mychal Kendricks
It's kind of like a big number on who would be considered a little dude. Greg [Delimitros] gave it to me my rookie year because there were no other numbers available, and he was like, 'It'll be different.' He talked me into it, because I was hella sad. When I first came in, he assigned me the number, and I was super sad about it because I was like, 'I'm a linebacker, I want a 50 number.' And he was like, 'Hey, man, it's different, it'll look good on you!' Telling me all the things I want to hear, knowing that I wouldn't be too satisfied with it. And I was a rookie, so I didn't really have a choice. Because every one who's a vet had earned their numbers. . . . I wanted 99, that's retired, so he's like, 'You got 95.' . . . I took the 95, I called my brother, Chad. He's like, 'what number did you get?' I said, 'They gave me 95, I'm hella sad.' He's like, 'Cool, man, that's sweet!' Because I guess back in the day, 95 was a good number. It's a universal number - you can see 95 on race cars. He was talking about Starter jerseys. He said the number back in the day, in the 80s, was 95 - 95 was like that number. So I guess every time I see 95 - Urban Outfitters sells shirts with 95 on it. It's a good number to have. I-95, so that's cool. It kind of grew on me. It's grown into something.