When quarterback Daniel Jones arrived in East Rutherford, it became quickly apparent that the No. 17 jersey, which he wore at Duke, was unavailable. That number is currently being worn by fellow quarterback Kyle Lauletta, whom the New York Giants drafted just a season ago.
So with that No. 17 taken for now, Jones instead went with No. 8. And no, that wasn’t cleverly thought of by adding one and seven together.
Rather, Jones suggested on Friday that he’s wearing No. 8 as sort of an homage to Kobe Bryant, who wore that number until the 2006-2007 season.
“There were several options. I think eight is a good number,” Jones told reporters. “Old Kobe, I guess.”
If you’re trying to do the math in your head, Jones wasn’t even born yet when Bryant made his Los Angeles Lakers debut and was just 9 years old the last time Kobe wore No. 8.
In 2006, Bryant switched from No. 8 to No. 24, which is one of the numbers he had worn at Lower Merion High School. He had also worn No. 33.
Like Bryant, don’t expect Jones to wear No. 8 for very long. He will eventually change that number and will likely work out a deal to take No. 17 from Lauletta.
