PHOENIX — The jersey number zero is coming to rosters across the NFL.
The league voted Tuesday to allow all players other than offensive and defensive linemen to wear the jersey number zero. The proposal was submitted by the Philadelphia Eagles, and also allows kickers and punters to use any jersey numeral between 0-49 and 90-99.
Atlanta Falcons CEO Rich McKay, chairman of the NFL's competition committee, explained why the change was made with minimal opposition, if any.
«I don't think there was any discussion, and we voted. As someone who works for a team, we have real challenges in the number world right now,» McKay said, noting 16-member practice squads in addition to the 53-man roster.
«This is one thing that could help us in that challenge, because we do have some players that tend to like the single digit. Numbers are more problematic than they've ever been, so this one had very little pushback.»
The news was met with excitement by Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley, who tweeted his plans to wear zero.
Excited to be the first <a href=«https://twitter.com/Jaguars?ref_src=» https:>@Jaguars
player to wear zero — shout out to <a href=«https://twitter.com/JagsEquip?ref_src=» https:>@JagsEquip! <a href=«https://twitter.com/hashtag/ReadyToWork?src=hash&ref_src=» https:>#ReadyToWork pic.twitter.com/MfympKGWSl
Another notable change came with the league voting to establish one preseason roster reduction date at the end of the preseason, instead of two.
«It makes common sense to us now because of the size of the practice squad and the fact you have these players all offseason. Your coaches have invested all this time in developing them, they know your scheme, and they are going to be the players that get you through
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