Micah Parsons, linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, quickly seized the opportunity to wear the newly available number 0 on his jersey after the NFL made the change. He announced his decision with enthusiasm on Twitter, declaring, “I’m switching! Agent 0 coming soon!”
Under the new jersey number guidelines, quarterbacks now have the option of wearing numbers 0 through 19. Defensive backs can choose from numbers 0 to 49, while fullbacks, tight ends, H-backs, and wide receivers can opt for numbers in the range of 0 to 49 and 80 to 89. Linebackers can select from 0 to 59 and 90 to 99, while offensive linemen remain restricted to numbers 50 through 79. Defensive linemen have the option of 50 to 79 and 90 to 99.
This decision hasn’t pleased all Cowboys fans, especially those who had purchased Parsons’ previous No. 11 jersey. Some fans expressed their discontent and even questioned whether the team would allow a jersey exchange. One fan lamented, “Come on, @MicahhParsons11! I saved for a year to get your jersey. I’m a teacher with a mortgage … doesn’t come easy.”
Fox Sports host Skip Bayless, who often praises Parsons as “11 from heaven,” might have to adapt to the new number. A fan suggested that Bayless could rebrand his nickname to “Hero from number 0.”
Parsons hinted that his tweet about the jersey switch could have been a joke, reassuring fans with, “We good,” and affirming, “11 from heaven! for life!!”
Previously, Parsons had voiced his frustration on Twitter when he was excluded from the inaugural Players’ All-Pro Team in January, though he congratulated those who made the list. Among those selected were Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers and Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns for edge rusher, and Roquan Smith of the Baltimore Ravens and Fred Warner of the 49ers for off-ball linebacker.
The proposal for the new jersey numbers came from the Philadelphia Eagles. Kickers and punters are also now permitted to use any number between 0-49 and 90-99. NFL’s competition committee chairman Rich McKay explained that the change faced minimal opposition due to practical challenges with jersey numbers, especially with expanding practice squads.