Due to the NFL’s jersey number restrictions—as well as the gentlemen occupying Nos. 2 through 12 and Nos. 14 through 19—new Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield only had two open choices for his uniform. He could either opt for the unlucky No. 13 or see what he could do with No. 1 and subsequently get banished into the shadow realm for disrespecting the greatest player in franchise history.
So, he opted for a third avenue and made his own choice.
According to Mayfield himself, he has acquired his No. 6—which he wore at Texas Tech University, the University of Oklahoma and with the Cleveland Browns—from punter Johnny Hekker.
“I guess it’s time to break the news,” Mayfield said in his opening presser on Tuesday. “Made a deal. Did my own negotiating with Johnny. Obviously, when it comes to a four-time All-Pro, had to ask permission. And was willing to make those sacrifices. He’s a guy that . . . he’s got a chip on his shoulder as well, ya know. Undrafted free agent. Spent his whole career with the Rams. Now he’s got a chip on his shoulder. Nah, I’ve had fun getting to know him over the phone. He seems like a great guy and a great leader.”
The former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick went on to explain why he was willing to “make those sacrifices” to get that number.
“6 is special to me, not because it was ever my favorite number, it was the number I was given as a walk-on at Texas Tech. And when I transferred, the people at Oklahoma thought it was my favorite number. So they just gave it to me again. And so, it’s just stuck with me. To me, it kinda symbolizes my story. My history with that. I truly enjoy being able to represent that. And it’s something special to me now. But at first, it was not. So I’m thankful for Johnny being reasonable and giving up his number for such a veteran of that many years.”
And Hekker’s response . . . ?
— Johnny Hekker (@JHekker) July 12, 2022
Although the exact details of the agreement were not disclosed, Hekker’s uniform choice 57 days ago was very likely a prosperous one.
