May 2, 200620 yr Reggie Bush came in second in Saturday's NFL Draft, but he's apparently first in jersey orders. The Associated Press reported Monday that Reebok has received a record 15,000 orders for New Orleans Saints jerseys with Bush's name on the back. That's more than double the number of jerseys the company had taken for last year's No. 1 pick, Alex Smith. Fans ordered these Bush jerseys without knowing what number they will carry. That will likely be determined Tuesday, when the NFL competition committee meets and decides whether to allow the former USC running back and 2005 Heisman Trophy winner to wear No. 5, as he desires. Bush's marketing agent, Mike Ornstein, told ESPN.com he believes there's great value in Bush being able to keep the number. National Subway commercials already refer to Bush as No. 5. "Based on the conversations I've had with members of the competition committee today, I do believe that they will allow Reggie to wear that number," Ornstein said. Although Bush has worn No. 5 since high school, NFL rules do not permit running backs to take that number. In 1973, the league crafted a numbering system so officials could better recognize players by their positions. Quarterbacks are allotted Nos. 1 through 19. Running backs wear Nos. 20 through 49, and wide receivers and tight ends wear Nos. 80 through 89. The league has recently loosened its rules on wide receivers, reportedly due to the volume of retired numbers at the position combined with the number of players at that position. In 2004, running back Edgerrin James, then playing with the Indianapolis Colts, unsuccessfully petitioned for No. 5. Backup quarterback Adrian McPherson wore No. 5 for the Saints last year. LINK
May 2, 200620 yr The NFL number restrictions are stupid and just more of the whole "No Fun League." They should do it the same way college does, with the only ineligible numbers for position players being 50-79.Skill position players wearing single digits looks so much cooler. Of course, I don't expect Reggie to win his case.
May 2, 200620 yr The NFL number restrictions are stupid and just more of the whole "No Fun League." They should do it the same way college does, with the only ineligible numbers for position players being 50-79.Skill position players wearing single digits looks so much cooler. Of course, I don't expect Reggie to win his case. I'd almost be willing to bet money that he'll win.
May 2, 200620 yr The NFL number restrictions are stupid and just more of the whole "No Fun League." They should do it the same way college does, with the only ineligible numbers for position players being 50-79.Skill position players wearing single digits looks so much cooler. Of course, I don't expect Reggie to win his case. I'd almost be willing to bet money that he'll win. Really? I know Charles Woodson and Deion tried this a couple years ago, and neither won. We'll see
May 2, 200620 yr The NFL number restrictions are stupid and just more of the whole "No Fun League." They should do it the same way college does, with the only ineligible numbers for position players being 50-79.Skill position players wearing single digits looks so much cooler. Of course, I don't expect Reggie to win his case. I'd almost be willing to bet money that he'll win. No doubt in my mind. He'll win.
May 2, 200620 yr Last year they changed it to allow recievers and backs the ability to wear numbers in the teens. Keyshawn was allowed to wear 19 due to some weird loophole. I wouldnt be shocked to see it go either way. Its not a huge issue and it would be a lot more fun, but the 'f' word is reserved for college games by and large.
May 2, 200620 yr The Saints should just put him on the depth chart as a kicker. Problem solved. Smart :thumbup
May 2, 200620 yr 15,000 jerseys already? nice work Houston ya Houston truly is stupid. oh well, maybe the Saints can actually catch a break for a change.
May 2, 200620 yr The Saints should just put him on the depth chart as a kicker. Problem solved. As long as he wears a stylish one bar helmet while he tries to evade defenders.
May 3, 200620 yr Alot of the merchandise revenue is shared anyway, so the jersey sales thing isn't THAT big of a deal Of course he'd probably help Houston sell more tickets, and that revenue isn't shared nearly as much as the merchandise
May 3, 200620 yr Reggie should get it beacuse he is the savior of the franchise plus it would sell more jersys, but maybe the nfl wants to screw the saints some more
May 3, 200620 yr How exactly do you know he's the savior of the franchise? http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft06/colu..._len&id=2428665
May 3, 200620 yr I doubt he will be allowed to wear number 5, but we'll see. If they let him wear it they will have to change the rule somewhat because many playes will want to change their numbers
May 5, 200620 yr I think he wins this case. Bush has been the most hyped player to enter in a LONG time. From a marketing stand-point, I think you let him wear #5.
May 5, 200620 yr High profiled players who have actualy done something in this league have appealed and havent been able to get this changed. I dont see Reggie Bush winning this. The NFL doesnt care how hyped he is. The NFL is greater than any one player.
May 5, 200620 yr High profiled players who have actualy done something in this league have appealed and havent been able to get this changed. I dont see Reggie Bush winning this. The NFL doesnt care how hyped he is. The NFL is greater than any one player. Because that would hurt them in marketing. Bush has never worn another number before. They haven't sold his jersey's with another number yet. The reason they turned down Edge and Ricky, is because they are known with their respective number. And have already marketed them as such. Reggie has only been known for #5, and if the NFL is smart, they will make a lot of money with it.
May 7, 200620 yr NFL is going to make their money regardless - they like to let players know right off, especially rookies, that they aren't bigger than the league and one of the major ways they do that is through uniform policy i'd be shocked if this gets changed
May 23, 200620 yr Author The answer is: DENVER ? (AP) ? Reggie Bush won't get to wear the No. 5 he made famous at USC for the New Orleans Saints. Not this season and perhaps not ever. Atlanta general manager Rich McKay, co-chairman of the competition committee, said Tuesday that the committee had recommended against Bush's request for his college number. The decision was made by the committee after two conference calls. It was never discussed by the owners. "Nobody is comfortable that an exception be made to the policy and no one is confident that there will ever be a change,'' McKay said at the NFL owners meetings, adding that it might come up again, but certainly not until after the 2006 season has started. Under NFL rules, running backs are required to wear numbers between 20-49. Since 1973, the only major change was made last year, when receivers were given permission to wear numbers in the teens because teams were running out of 80s due in large part to an increase in receivers and tight ends on rosters. Bush, chosen second overall by New Orleans in April's draft, wore No. 5 at Southern California and had asked the NFL to make an exception. McKay said the committee also had requests from other players to wear numbers normally not allowed for their positions. Bush's second choice appears to be 25, currently worn by veteran special teamer Fred McAfee, who has indicated he would be willing to give it (or sell it) to Bush. Players often change numbers to accommodate others, often selling the rights, as New York Giants punter Jeff Feagles did two years in a row ? first trading No. 10 to Eli Manning in 2004, then No. 17 to Plaxico Burress last year. Feagles got a vacation for his family to give Manning his number. Burress paid for an outdoor kitchen in Feagles' Arizona home. Other number exchanges haven't been as amicable. When Clinton Portis joined the Washington Redskins two years ago, he bought No. 26 for $40,000 from safety Ifeanyi Ohalete. Portis paid $20,000 up front but declined to pay the rest after Ohalete was cut by the Redskins and picked up by Arizona. Ohalete then sued and the issue was solved before a trial when the two sides agreed on a lump-sum payment of $18,000 to settle the matter.
May 23, 200620 yr The NFL is such a joke sometimes. It is rediculous Bush can't wear #5. No Fun League at it again.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.