New Falcons running back Todd Gurley will wear No. 21 this season, and in doing so, taking up the number worn by a one-time Falcons great, Deion Sanders.
While some might wonder if it’s a tribute, Gurley actually gave an interview and said that he’s wearing the number against the wishes of Sanders, who he says told him not to wear the number in Atlanta.
“Prime was hating on me. He told me don’t wear it,” Gurley said in an interview with 92.9 The Game in Atlanta. “If I was Prime, I wouldn’t want nobody wearing my number either.”
While I understand where Sanders is coming from, his number hasn’t been retired by the Falcons. As long as his number isn’t retired, that thing is up for grabs. The Falcons have never retired a player’s number, as per team tradition, so Sanders is just going to have to deal.
As to why Gurley is wearing No. 21 now? Unclear. He’s never worn it in college or the pros, instead wearing No. 30 in Los Angeles with the Rams and No. 3 in college at Georgia. My theory is that 2+1=3, so he’s wearing 21. I have absolutely no proof of that. Just a guess.
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