NFL to Decide If Reggie Bush Wears Uniform No. 5, ESPN Says 2006-05-01 22:22 (New York) By Bob Bensch May 1 (Bloomberg) -- The National Football League will decide whether Reggie Bush, the second pick in the April 28 draft, will wear uniform No. 5 with the New Orleans Saints, ESPN reported on its Web site, citing Mike Ornstein, the running back's marketing agent. Bush wore the number at the University of Southern California, where he won the Heisman Trophy last season. Ornstein told ESPN.com there's great value in Bush keeping the number. A national commercial for Subway Restaurants already refers to Bush as No. 5, ESPN said. NFL uniform numbers are assigned by positions, with running backs wearing Nos. 20 through 49. Players can make special requests to the NFL. ESPN also cited an Associated Press report that Reebok International Ltd, the official apparel provider for the NFL, has received a record 15,000 orders for Saints jerseys with Bush's name on the back. That's more than twice as many orders as the company took for Alex Smith, last year's top pick, ESPN.com said. (ESPN.com, 5-1) For ESPN's Web site, see {ESPN <GO>} . --Editor: Clark Story illustration: For NFL news, see {NI NFL <GO>} To contact the reporter on this story: Bob Bensch in Trenton, New Jersey at (1) (609) 394-0739 or bbensch@bloomberg.net
He should have too wear a normal RB number. He hasn't done shit in the NFL and could be a complete bust. If they want to show favoritism then do it with a vet that has show his worth to the game not just hype.
they should let him get number 5 but i can see him being number 20 for some reason if they don't....don't know why though
Keyshawn chose #19 in the preseason because all the 80's were allready taken, which is common in the preseason, but was able to keep #19 due to a loophole in the NFl rules. They quickly closed that loophole and Keyshawn was the only reciever to have a number in the teens for a while until the NFL changed the rule a couple of seasons ago to permit rookies and veterans changing teams to take a # in the teens.
I just think if the NFL allows marketing firms to start creating loopholes, it just shows how $$$ really does run the game. I know that is not breaking news, but it is kind of a shame if you ask me. I think he should wear 25, 2nd pick, # 5, but I bet Adrian McPhearson gets a fwe bucks out of this since he is currently #5 on the team.
If they let him wear #5 they might as well abolish the whole numbering rules. they shouldn't let anyone get special treatment and as it stands with WRs being allowed to take the teens as a number it seems like we are going down that road anyway.
the edge tried to get his number changed a few years back (to number 5 also). They wouldnt let him so i doubt they will let reggie
They let recievers like Roy Williams, Reggie Williams, and Braylon Edwards wear low numbers, they should let Bush wear #5.
The number range for Wide Recievers was officially expanded to include numbers in the teens last season. Change your number, Reggie.
What is the point of that rule anyway? Just let guys wear the numbers they want, I don't see the harm.
Receivers used to wear all sorts of crazy numbers before the numbering rule, which I believe came into play in 1973 (a grandfather clause was put into play and veterans could still wear whatever number they wore the prior season until they retired; that's why Carmichael, as example, wore #17 into the mid-80s). Here's just some name receivers and the numbers they wore: Charley Taylor- 42 Harold Carmichael- 17 Frank Grant- 46 John Gilliam- 42 Ed Bell- 7 Bob Hayes- 22 Reggie Rucker- 33 Ken Burrough- 00 Randy Vataha- 18 Don Maynard- 13 Lance Alworth- 19 Lance Rentzel- 19 Fred Biletnikoff- 25 Harold Jackson- 29 Bobby Mitchell- 49 Cliff Branch- 21 Gary Garrison- 27 Some running backs of the same era: Ed Podolak- 14 Warren McVea- 6 Harmon Wages- 5 Paul Hornung- 5 Mike Adamle- 1 The only guys in recent years who wore strange numbers: WR, Michael Jackson- 1 TE converted to RB, Rod Bernstine- 82 (it was so strange to see a RB wearing 82) I have no idea why Jackson was allowed to wear #1 or why Bernstine was able to keep #82 after converting. I would actually like to see players wear what numbers they want to wear, with maybe restrictions on 60-79 and 90-99. Keep 60-79 for O-linemen for tackle-eligible plays to help the refs. Keep 90-99 for D-linemen only because those numbers don't look good on any players but them. Also, let the D-linemen and LBs have their choice of the 80s again (Tombstone Jackson- 87, Ted Hendricks- 83, Verlon Biggs- 86, Buoniconti- 85, etc.). However, if the NFL keeps the numbering rule, then Bush should have to abide by it.
This makes no sense. Why would you give it to a vet? Chances are if its a proven great vet they have already made a name for themselves with their new number. Unlikely they'd want to go back to a college number. You think Edge will want to be #5 now after all he's done in #32? If your going to bend the rules it ofcourse has to be to a rookie and I can't think of any rookie better qualified than Bush. Yea you can say he hasn't done anything yet, blah blah blah, but by the time he does it will be too late. And what if he ends up a total bust, the revenue made from his hype and # will be worth it. I'm all for giving Bush #5.
It's funny you mentioned James because he actually (unsuccessfully) petitioned the NFL to change to #5 before the 2004 season. EDIT: This was an unnecessary post on my part. NY Vilmaniac already mentioned James in post 10.
NO way they let him it will really look weird for a RB to wear 5 and the league doesnt want to change that trend. The RB number range is fine the way it is.
