A new set of rules and amendments made official on Wednesday saw the NFL throw their jersey number system into an absolute chaotic mess.
With these new changes, skill players on the offensive side of the ball (except for quarterbacks) have the ability to wear the numbers one through 49 and 80 through to 89, whereas defensive backs can now wear numbers one through to 49. Linebackers, on the other hand, have an even greater advantage whereby they can wear the numbers one through to 59, as well as 90 through 99, all being available to them. Both offensive and defensive linemen can also wear numbers 50 through to 79, whereas the latter can also wear numbers 90 through to 99 (Confused? Don’t worry, we are too).
But not everybody in the NFL is on board with the changes.
Most notably, Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady.
Still reigning at the peak of the NFL mountain following his seventh Super Bowl title, the 43-year-old superstar took to Instagram, blasting the changes as ‘dumb’ and even stating that it will lead to “bad football.”
Honestly, Tom Brady’s status as the undeniable King of the NFL arena gives him the freedom to lambast the league whenever he feels the need. But even if this may feel like a slight overreaction from the Brady corner, some would consider it justified; some elite players are very superstitious when it comes to their playing number after all.
Brady might be jealous that quarterbacks (and kickers) were not included in these number changes, but we don’t think that’s the case at all, at the end of the day you should never mess with a players numbers, mentally this could cause a major upset for many teams.
