Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

I have always wondered how Brad Van Pelt got no. 10 in 1973. It's interesting that the Giants were also the last team to award a rookie defensive lineman (Phil Tabor) a number in the 80s, in 1979.

Teo wrote:I have always wondered how Brad Van Pelt got no. 10 in 1973. It's interesting that the Giants were also the last team to award a rookie defensive lineman (Phil Tabor) a number in the 80s, in 1979.

Loophole. He was the Giants backup kicker his rookie year which enabled him to pick from two pool of numbers so he kept 10 from his collegiate days. It seems like the league can't force you to change in subsequent years (as long as you stay on the same team) even if you no longer play that position. Same with Jim Jensen and his #11.

Sort of tangent to the discussion... Does anyone know why Keyshawn Johnson was allowed to wear #19 in 1996? That was well before WR numbers were expanded into the teens.