Darren Waller not only will play for a new team this season, but he’ll sport a new uniform number that has a special meaning to him and countless others. The Giants tight end, who previously wore No. 83 with the Raiders, switched back to his rookie No. 12 jersey for 2023 and explained why he chose to make the change.
“Twelve is a number that has a lot of meaning to me,” Waller told NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. “Somebody that’s in recovery. There are certain programs that people like me are a part of, and 12 is a very symbolic number. So, it’s just representing people that are in sobriety.”
With #Giants TE Darren Waller for NFL+ on the reason behind his jersey No. 12 — “I'm representing people that are in sobriety programs” — the input he’s been able to have as a veteran player and the plan to help this offense pick up more yards through the air this season 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/MsoOIGUjFa
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 14, 2023
Waller battled addiction from a young age but has been sober for several years. The No. 12 is a reference to the 12 steps used in programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
As a rookie with the Ravens, Waller donned No. 12 in 2015 but changed to No. 84 the next year and eventually switched to No. 83 with the Raiders. Now with his third NFL team, the 30-year-old is looking for a new start with his new—but old—number.
