The NFL approved several new rule changes at the owners’ meetings in Arizona last week, including adding No. 0 as a legal number for non-linemen this season.
Before the NFL implemented stricter number rules in 1973, center Jim Otto (No. 00) and quarterback Johnny Clement (No. 0) were among the players who sported zero and double-zero numbers. Players will now once again be allowed to wear No. 0, but not No. 00.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley was the first to announce he will take advantage of the new number rule this season. Now the question becomes, who will be the first* Denver Broncos player to wear No. 0?
*Technically, whoever wears No. 0 for the Broncos this year will be the second to do so in franchise history — fullback Johnny Olszewski wore that number in Denver in 1962. Nicknamed “Johnny O,” Olszewski was a two-time Pro Bowler who scored 19 touchdowns during his NFL career.
The Broncos will begin announcing jersey numbers for their free agent additions when players report for the start of the club’s offseason program next week. Right now, Denver has three players on their online roster listed under No. 0: WR Marquez Callaway, P Riley Dixon and RB Tony Jones.
It’s unclear if those are just placeholder numbers or if all three players plan to wear No. 0 this offseason. NFL teams are allowed to have more than one player wear a certain number during the offseason if they play on different sides of the ball, but only one player can wear any given number during the regular season.
We should have more clarity on the future of No. 0 with the Broncos when the team begins its workout program next Tuesday (April 11).
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