15 August 2023 , 14:28
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Teddy Bridgewater took advantage of a loophole in NFL rules to wear the No. 50 for the Detroit Lions despite quarterbacks traditionally never donning such a high number.
Bridgewater signed with the Lions last week, reuniting the veteran with head coach Dan Campbell, whom he worked with during his time with the New Orleans Saints. On Monday, he participated in his first practice while rocking a red jersey with no number on it.
However, Bridgewater is now listed as No. 50 on the team’s roster. It is not exactly a number associated with a quarterback, but the 30-year-old is embracing the unusual after arriving at an organisation hoping to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 this season.
Despite Campbell telling reporters he may not have a number, Bridgewater confirmed his surprising decision to rock No. 50. While laughing, he said: “I’m going to wear 50, man.
“It’s preseason, you can wear whatever you want. We’ll figure something out in the regular season.”
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There is a reason for Bridgewater’s decision to wear the eyebrow-raising number. Per NFL rules, quarterbacks can only wear numbers between 0-19, but each and every jersey between 0 and 19 has been taken by an active player - or the number is retired.
Meanwhile, defensive players occupy No. 1, No. 2, No. 4 and No. 6 at time of writing so they are the only numbers Bridgewater could choose to wear in preseason. It seems as though the former Minnesota Vikings star will be allowed to wear No. 50 during preseason, but he will have to choose a new number when the regular season begins next month.
Teddy Bridgewater wore No. 5 when he played for the Miami Dolphins last season (AP)Throughout his professional career and even stretching back to his high school days, Bridgewater has donned the No. 5 jersey. However, it is not an option given running back David Montgomery, who signed a three-year deal worth $18 million with the Lions in free agency, currently occupies the number.
It’s possible Bridgewater will be able to get his number back by the time the season begins, although such a practice usually necessitates an under-the-table agreement between the two players. Regardless, it will look odd when Bridgewater takes the field in joint practices this week as well as preseason contests throughout this month.
Perhaps fans will see the quarterback donning the No. 50 jersey when the Lions face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday after two days of joint practices in Allen Park. The Lions defeated the New York Giants last week to open preseason, while the Jaguars came out on top against the Dallas Cowboys.