In 1979, the NFL allowed defensive linemen to wear numbers 90–99 and centers 60–79. Joiner was the last active player who began his career in the AFL. Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Charlie Joiner was the last player covered by the clause, wearing number 18 through the 1986 NFL season, after which he retired. When it went into effect, players who had played in the league before the 1973 season were given a grandfather clause to continue wearing their now-prohibited numbers. The NFL imposed a more rigid numbering system in 1973. The AFL's numbering system also allowed for the use of a double-zero as a number, which was used by future Hall of Fame player Jim Otto, center for the Oakland Raiders after wearing the number 50 in his rookie season, he switched to 00 (which was said as 'aught, oh', a homonym of Otto), which he wore for the remainder of his career. The American Football League (AFL) of the 1960s, which also later merged with the NFL, used essentially the same numbering system as the NFL with some exceptions, mostly pertaining to wide receivers, who were allowed to wear numbers in the teens and 20s (as the AFL had a greater priority toward offense, the league often made use of flankers, receivers positioned in the backfield). Examples are Otto Graham going from 60 to 14, Norm Van Brocklin going from 25 to 11, Marion Motley going from 76 to 36, and Tom Fears going from 55 to 80. This resulted in many star players having to change their numbers mid-career. When the AAFC merged with the NFL in 1950, the AAFC players kept their old uniform numbers, which caused confusion and resulted in the NFL going to a standard numbering system in 1952. The All-America Football Conference (AAFC) of the 1940s, which later merged with the NFL, had a different numbering system with quarterback in the 60-69 range ( Otto Graham), fullbacks in the 70-79 range ( Marion Motley), halfbacks in the 80-89 range, ends in the 50-59 range ( Mac Speedie), tackles in the 40-49 range ( Lou Groza), guards in the 30-39 range, and centers in the 20-29 range ( Frank Gatski). Split ends (precursors to modern wide receivers) had numbers in the 80s, and many would play cornerback (e.g., Night Train Lane, who wore 81 as a cornerback). For example, quarterbacks and halfbacks usually played in the defensive back field and so had numbers in the 10–49 range, defensive line numbers ranged from 50–89, while linebackers (who often played fullback or tight end on offense) could have just about any number. Earlier, defensive players wore numbers that reflected their offensive position, as many players played both offense and defense. This numbering system originated in college football and was used only informally in the NFL until 1952 the backs were given numbers in the 10–49 range and the offensive line numbers in the 50–89 range. When teams switched to the T-formation in the 1930s and 1940s, the numbers were taken with them to whichever position evolved from the old single wing position. The numbering system used today originated when all teams employed some variation of the single wing formation on offense. Until the 1920s, when the NFL limited its rosters to 22 players, it was rare to see player numbers much higher than 25 ( Red Grange was a notable exception, wearing 77 with the Chicago Bears while playing halfback, which would not be allowed under current NFL rules), and numbers had little correlation with positions (in 1929, the Orange Tornadoes subverted the system even further, experimenting with using letters instead of numbers). The earliest numbering systems were significantly different from the modern variation. Additionally, rules exist which limit who may handle the ball on offense: generally players who are designated as offensive linemen, who wear numbers 50–79, are not allowed to handle the ball during a play from scrimmage, though they are allowed to do so if they report to the referee as playing out of position for a tackle-eligible play, if they pick up a fumble, or if they catch a deflected pass. Rules exist which tie a player's number to a specific range of numbers for their primary position. Players in the National Football League (NFL) wear uniform numbers between 0 and 99, with no two players on a team able to wear the same number outside of the offseason. JSTOR ( May 2016) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message).Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.įind sources: "National Football League uniform numbers" – news Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. This article needs additional citations for verification.
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