Marcus Mariota has made NFL history without even stepping onto the field. After signing a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders, Mariota decided to sport No. 0 for the 2024 NFL season.
This move makes the 30-year-old the first quarterback in NFL history to wear No. 0. The reason behind this jersey milestone is due to roll back the league's decision to standardise jersey numbers by position group back in 1973.
Over 20 players seized the chance to wear No. 0 last season, including Mariota's Philadelphia Eagles teammate, running back D'Andre Swift. "This is the first year players are allowed to wear that number, so it's kind of cool to be the first person to put it on, especially being from here," Swift said about being the first player in franchise history to wear No. 0, according to ESPN.
Notably, Swift was born in Philadelphia, making his decision to be the first player in his hometown team's history to wear that number all the more significant. In addition to Swift, Calvin Ridley - who played for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023 - became the first player in the league to wear No. 0 after the NFL reinstated him. The 29-year-old wide receiver also became the first person in Jaguars franchise history to wear No. 0, much like Swift.
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For Ridley, it wasn't just about making history; it was a tribute to his family and the significance of his middle name, Orin. "My mom called us the COR boys when we were little because all of us have the same initials," Ridley explained to ESPN. "So it's C, O, R, Calvin Orin [Ridley]."
"I wanted to be the first one to get it for sure. That's why when it came I said, 'All right, y'all get it out now.' " Players are choosing No. 0 for various reasons, from being the first to don the number to more personal motivations.
Mariota's choice of No. 0 with Washington may have been more practical than sentimental. Throughout his career, from Oregon to the NFL, Mariota has worn No. 8 or No. 1, sporting No. 8 at Oregon, with the Tennessee Titans, and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Marcus Mariota wore No. 8 when he played for the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2023 NFL season (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)While playing quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022, Mariota wore No. 1. Then, during his time with the Eagles, he reverted to No. 8, which he revealed was a nod to the eight Hawaiian Islands, as reported by NBC Sports Philadelphia.
In Washington, both No. 1 and No. 8 were already claimed by wide receiver Jahan Dotson and running back Brian Robinson, respectively. With his preferred numbers taken, Mariota opted for No. 0, a choice some believe symbolizes a fresh start.
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