Getty ImagesSix years ago, running back Reggie Bush tried to persuade the league to adjust its jersey rules to allow him to wear No. 5 in the NFL. The effort went nowhere. And so Bush adopted No. 25, after finagling it from Fred McAfee. (Bush now wears No. 22 in Miami.)
This year, the NFL quietly has adjusted its rules to permit the use of Roman numerals on the jersey of quarterback Robert Griffin III.
It should have been obvious 29 days ago, when Griffin held up a jersey that showed “Griffin III” on the nameplate. But only recently has it been reported that the rules actually were changed to permit players to include “Jr.” and “III.”
Presumably, it also will allow a player with a son named after him to add “Sr.” to the back of his jersey.
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Presumably, it also will allow a player with a son named after him to add “Sr.” to the back of his jersey.
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I feel like this is a Cromartie joke.
Cromartie Sr? That would actually be kind of funny to see on a jersey.
Did they change the rules for RGIII or in anticipation of all the Antonio Cromartie Jrs on the way….
Whats more silly is seeing his stocking on his arm every game…bet it’s comfortable in hot games.
He will not come near Newton Sr. stats his rookie year.
No need unless his dad played or there are other Robert Griffin’s on the team. He’s going to be a bust. At best Aaron Brooks 2.0
johnnycash19 says: May 25, 2012 11:15 PM
Presumably, it also will allow a player with a son named after him to add “Sr.” to the back of his jersey.
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I feel like this is a Cromartie joke.
Cromartie Sr? That would actually be kind of funny to see on a jersey.
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Actually, it would be Cromartie Sr, Sr, Sr, Sr, Sr, Sr, Sr
there is a difference in what they did for griffin and what bush wanted. i agree with the name since of the rule change but disagree with changing what numbers specific positions are to wear.
What happens when a player now wants to change their jersey but Nike has already printed them to sell in the stores? Sounds like poor planning. Mike, what might the league be liable for? Bet this rule wouldnt changed if Griffen was a second rounder.
seahawksgirl says: May 25, 2012 11:45 PM
What happens when a player now wants to change their jersey but Nike has already printed them to sell in the stores? Sounds like poor planning. Mike, what might the league be liable for? Bet this rule wouldnt changed if Griffen was a second rounder.
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Change jersey as in name and/or number? If that’s what you meant, Nike will probably do the same thing Reebook did went Chad Johnson wanted to change to Ochocinco.
Force the player to pay for any remaining inventory of old jersey. The more notable player you are the higher the chance that would cost them more.
When a historic talent like RG3 comes along, you make accomidations and shut your mouth, brother.
What numbers are personal protectors allowed to wear? Tebow might need a rule change…
And now that this is finally settled we can all finally sleep well….Thank you
Winslow, Ginn, Calvin Johnson, will they be jr?
Tebow III:XVI
Here’s hoping that one of the kids of George Foreman becomes a football player.
They made this change because they know they’ll sell more jerseys if they have the “III” on them. Sounds silly, but it’s true.
I already can’t stand this guy
njbucsfan says:
May 25, 2012 11:31 PM
No need unless his dad played or there are other Robert Griffin’s on the team. He’s going to be a bust. At best Aaron Brooks 2.0
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A bucs fan calling out a bust. That’s funny. Yer whole freakin team is a bust.
this is stupid…. before you know it some idiot player is going to change his name to all roman numerals….. it was a major mistake to do this…
hulkhogansays says:May 26, 2012 12:02 AM
When a historic talent like RG3 comes along, you make accomidations and shut your mouth, brother.
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Wake up, jacka$$. Your statement has nothing to do with why griffin is being given all of this special teatment.
who cares
mikebrownistheworstownerinprosports says:
May 26, 2012 6:29 AM
They made this change because they know they’ll sell more jerseys if they have the “III” on them. Sounds silly, but it’s true.
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Of course that’s the reason. The only time the NFL gets off its ass and does anything is because of money.
As a III myself I am all for it. The III and Jr. ARE what we were named. So the III and Jr is our legal name just like anyone else’s last name.
Does this mean Vick can go to MVVII now?lol
I assume you clowns will complain when the NFL starts ordering Nike to stitch tildes for appropriate names.
oh I thought this was a story about how many games the redskins will win this year…sorry.
Or add Robert Griffin the Turd…..how are these clowns on here saying he is so great or the best thing in the NFL since facemasks on helmets, hahaha, let the guy play a snap in the NFL first.before we crown his A$$, redskins fans are so pathetic, they want a bust to be great so bad that they will pay to take pictures with this arragount clown and pay for his autograph, ALL FAIL TO THE REDSKINS!!!!
IRG3 =Aaron Brooks
hulkhogansays says:
May 26, 2012 12:02 AM
When a historic talent like RG3 comes along, you make accomidations and shut your mouth, brother.
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Hulk you need to go back to 6th grade and learn how to spell. While you are it, try living your own life rather than an that of over-tanned steroid abuser…
Brother
Makes sense to me.
-He is a highly marketable star @ QB
-His legal name
-Part of his nickname (RG3)
This was probably overdue, but I cannot recall a star that truely went with roman numerals and Jr on a regular basis.
If other players take advantage of this rule change….it’ll be a nice nod of respect to their fathers/grandfathers
majbobby says:May 26, 2012 9:28 AM
As a III myself I am all for it. The III and Jr. ARE what we were named. So the III and Jr is our legal name just like anyone else’s last name.
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So you’re saying his legal last name is Griffin III? That isn’t the way it works. His first name is Robert III, his last name is Griffin.
hulkhogansays says:
May 26, 2012 12:02 AM
When a historic talent like RG3 comes along, you make accomidations and shut your mouth, brother.
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Historic? As of today, I think Ryan Leaf has
317 more completions and 14 more TDs than RG3.
You might want o wait ’til RG3 has done SOMETHING before you label him historic.
Griffin has stated that if the ruling had gone the other way, he would have just had Griffin on the back but chosen 3 as his player number.
Waiting for a player to have a jersey reading: CAP1648613 – as in, CA Prisoner 1648613 – for one of the many criminals in the league….
Yeah they changed the rules for Griffen…….. it surely has nothing to do with Nike taking over jersey responsibilitys *facepalm*
I think the NFL saw the proverbial handwriting on the wall. All it would take is for one law suit from a player, saying that the NFL wouldn’t allow a legal name to be on the jersey, and the NFL would be found guilty of not allowing a person to have their legal name on the jersey for no reasonable basis for the prohibition.
After all, RG III is the legal name of a person, and the name isn’t profane (at least not in English).
Not good for the NFL ‘brand’, and the judgement against it would not be good for the NFL bottom line.