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It’s official: DeVonta Smith will wear the No. 6 jersey as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. The team revealed as much on Friday evening:
Single digits came just in time. @DeVontaSmith_6 | #EaglesDraft pic.twitter.com/9vRYY5ztua
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) May 1, 2021
This is the number that Smith wanted to wear in the NFL, having previously thrived in No. 6 at Alabama.
As the Eagles’ tweet notes, Smith entered the league at a very convenient time. The NFL only loosened jersey number restrictions last week. He previously would’ve been forced to pick between 10-19 and 80-89. (He could’ve worn No. 6 in the offseason but would’ve had to switch in the regular season.)
No. 6 was previously held by Khalil Tate, a quarterback-turned-wide receiver who’s an extreme long-shot to make this year’s roster. I’m sure it didn’t require a big effort for him to give up No. 6 to his new teammate.
Smith is set to be the first non-specialist to wear No. 6 in a regular season Eagles game since Bubby Brister (!) last did it in 1994. He will be the first wide receiver to wear No. 6 in a regular season game.
According to BGN’s all-important #JerseyNumberAnalytics, Smith is now officially locked in for a Hall of Fame career. Rejoice!