Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Anthony Rizzuti

Panthers OLB Brian Burns changes uniform number to 0

Positions aren’t the only thing Brian Burns is changing this season.

As announced by team reporter Darin Gantt on Wednesday evening, the Carolina Panthers defensive end-turned-outside linebacker has officially changed his uniform number. The former No. 53 will now don No. 0, which was placed back into circulation for the first time in 50 years by league owners in March.

Burns, obviously, is now the first Panther to ever wear No. 0. And it shouldn’t come as too much of a shocker, as the two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher hinted at the switch in an Instagram story a few months ago.

Gantt provided the following quotes from Burns regarding the decision:

“I kind of was on the zero thing before everyone jumped on it,” Burns said. “Now it’s a common thing in the league. It feels good to know I’ll be the first Panther with it, though.”

“I figured since they’re changing my position technically, because of the defense we’re in now, it gives me the opportunity to do something new,” he said. I feel like it’s a lot of new around here. So I feel like, why not do it? It’s a new beginning.

“We’ve got a lot of new. A lot of new things going in our favor now; I really feel good about this year, and this team and what we’re doing.”

Oh, and this probably won’t be the last number we talk about when it comes to Burns this offseason . . .

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.