The NFL loosened restrictions on the numbers different players can wear, allowing the possibility of more single-digit numbers, a trend we have seen in college football for a while.
At least one Arizona Cardinals player will take advantage.
Safety Budda Baker will don a new number in 2021, the third number of his career.
He will wear No. 3.
Bird gang.. I Love you don’t hate me. 3rd times the Charm. #literally pic.twitter.com/jL94Afuwrh
— Budda Baker (@buddabaker32) May 2, 2021
He began his career wearing No. 36 and then changed it to No. 32 in his second season. He promises this is the last time.
Of course, for him to make the change, the league requires him to buy out the supply of unsold jerseys with No. 32. That could be costly.
The number change will open up No. 32 for sixth-round pick Tay Gowan. He apparently has his eyes on that number.
#32 ….😏
— Tay Gowan (@focused_4) May 2, 2021
Teammate J.J. Watt joked about the number change on social media.
change your number every year. keep QB’s guessing. I like the strategy. pic.twitter.com/lT0yTTcT4n
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) May 2, 2021
Baker also had a message to those fans who have a jersey of his with his previous numbers.
No matter what jersey you own! It’s all love that you spent your money on something that involves my name. I still love ya no matter what #BakerFans #Love #MyPpl
— Budda Baker (@buddabaker32) May 2, 2021
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