Uniform Number (American Football)
The uniform numbers in American football are unusual compared to those in any other sport. They are displayed in more locations on the uniform than in those of other sports (on both the front and back of the jersey, on both shoulders, and often on the helmet), and they are very large, taking up almost the entire front of the jersey. More importantly, certain numbers may only be worn by players playing particular positions; thus the jersey numbers assist the officials in determining possible rules infractions by players.
Unlike most other sports, in which teams have smaller rosters, American football players routinely have uniform numbers that cover the full range of numbers from 1 to 99. In other sports, where not as many numbers are needed, lower numbers are more traditional and are usually desired by players. But in American football, with the number of players on a roster sometimes exceeding 100, there is a need for many more numbers.
Most football leagues have a system in place that requires or otherwise encourages players in certain positions to be issued numbers within a certain range.
Read more about Uniform Number (American Football): NFL, NCAA, High School, Retired Numbers, Non-retirement Policies
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