A few days ago, rookie RB LeSean McCoy jumped at the opportunity to wear his college number of 25 (because of the release of Lorenzo Booker, who wore those digits). He tossed his #29 shirt away, and was given a new jersey with his numbers from his days at Pittsburgh University. However, yesterday, McCoy mysteriously changed back to his original number of 29, and it opened up a topic of discussion. Was LeSean (pictured) haunted by the failure that Booker experienced when he wore 25? Did something unlucky happen to him in his 3 days with the 25 jersey? Did he re-think the situation and decide that a new number was better because he’s not in college anymore? Does he have a problem with sticking to something for a long time? I haven’t come to a conclusion yet, but the whole event sparked my mind onto the topic of the oddity of jersey numbers.

To some players, the numbers that reside below their names mean nothing but a helpful tool to the coaches that associate them with it. To others, they are of utter importance, and are a provider of good fortune, luck, and sometimes just act as a comforting piece of equipment because they hold a number that was worn in triumph during a player’s collegiate days. There have been both NFL superstars and NFL busts that have donned numbers they consider “special”, and one of the most notable is Bengals’ receiver Chad Ochocinco, who legally had his last name changed from ‘Johnson’ because of his love for the Spanish culture and the number 85 (and let’s not forget that he also did this for attention).

Now because of LeSean McCoy’s incident (and the entire jersey number odditiy topic overall), I took some time to research some other Eagles that were passionate about their numbers, as well as some other Birds that had their digits switched:

Jeremiah Trotter, MLB, 1998-2001/2004-2006 with Eagles

Trotter, known as one of the most vicious and passionate defenders of the recent years, wore the number 54 in his two stints with the Eagles, and was very determined to stick with that numeral. When he returned to the Eagles in 2004 after spending 2 seasons with the Redskins, LB Nate Wayne wore ‘54′, and because Jeremiah wanted that number so desperately, he requested that he could wash Wayne’s car regularly in return for the number. Wayne, who is currently retired, accepted Trotter (also known as the “Axeman” for his celebratory dance)’s offer, and ‘54′ was given to Jeremiah.

Brodrick Bunkley, DT, 2006-present with Eagles

Although Bunkley, a 1st-round draft choice of the team in 2006, has never expressed a strong desire in a certain jersey number, he has had his identifiable numeral changed. Following a mediocre and disappointing freshman season, the big DT transitioned from 78 to 97 prior to the 2007 campaign, and it has resulted in success. In ‘06, while wearing ‘78′, Bunkley recorded 9 tackles with no sacks. Since then, donning ‘97′, he has racked up a total of 78 tackles and 5 sacks.

Victor Abiamiri, DE, 2007-present with Eagles

Perhaps Abiamiri, a DE selected in the 2nd round of the 2007 Draft, felt that he would experience similar success as Bunkley did when he transfered from the number 78. Why, you ask? Because he executed the same move. Switching from his rookie number of 78 to his current number of 95, Abiamiri remains on a journey to starting on the team. Nevertheless, he is included in the Birds’ list of “number changers”.

Todd Pinkston, WR, 2000-2005 with Eagles

Certainly all Eagles fans know of Pinkston. He began his career as a semi-productive wideout that for the most part played as the number 2 WR. However, he fell into a backup role and is forever known as the guy was afraid to get hit. That doesn’t mean he’s excluded from the jersey number game, as he went from ‘17′  to ‘87′ in the time leading up to his rookie season. That didn’t benefit him very much, though, as his great games were overshadowed by his lack of tough attitude and willingness to get tackled.

Takeo Spikes, OLB, 2007 with Eagles

Dubbed the Eagles’ “big ticket” free agent signing of 2007, Spikes joined the team after 9 previous seasons wearing the number 51. Because special teams player/backup LB Tank Daniels (then known as Torrance Daniels) was listed as the team’s 51, Spikes was about to play his first season without the jersey digits that made him recognizable. But Daniels proved to be a kind-hearted soul, and allowed Spikes to take the number free of charge (there are times when some players actually ask for an amount of money in exchange for the number).

There are many other Eagles in the team’s 77 year history that were serious about their jerseys, and quite a few that had their number changed, but the ones mentioned above are some of the most recent and most interesting of the bunch. With the image of Eagles jerseys and numbers spinning in your head, how do you feel about the oddity of players’ jersey numbers? This brief and simple excerpt from an archived PhiladelphiaEagles.com article explains it well:

Jersey numbers can inspire kids who play football to select their jersey number. Jersey numbers can determine nicknames – when someone says ‘Five’, Eagles fans associate that with quarterback Donovan McNabb. Jersey numbers can also create intrigue. 

Eagles fans have a lot of emotions when they see No. 81, which was worn by former controversial Wide Receiver Terrell Owens. Now, [young] wide receiver Jason Avant, a fourth-round pick [in 2006], wears that number.

Some players care about their number so much that they are willing to pay or trade something to get that number.

Picture source: Online image. http://nfldotcom.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/l_mccoy_blog.jpg