Quarterback Marcus Mariota is already making headlines for the Washington Commanders, not for his performance on the field, but for the number he will be wearing on his jersey.
The Commanders recently announced that Mariota will be donning the number 0 on his back, making him the first quarterback in NFL history to do so. This decision comes after a rule change in March 2023, allowing players to wear the number 0 for the first time in decades.
This unique number choice follows Mariota’s one-year deal with the Commanders as a free agent. Along with other new signings, Mariota’s number was revealed on Thursday.
The rule change paved the way for several players to switch to the number 0, with wide receiver Calvin Ridley being the first to do so for the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, Mariota’s move to the number 0 as a quarterback marks a significant moment in NFL history.
Throughout his career, Mariota has worn various numbers for teams like the Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons. Last season, he sported the number 8 jersey with the Philadelphia Eagles as a tribute to the eight Hawaiian islands. In 2014, Mariota made history by becoming the first Oregon player and Hawaii native to win the Heisman Award.
With numbers one and eight already taken at the Commanders, Mariota opted for the unconventional number 0. This bold choice is sure to make him stand out both on and off the field as he embarks on this new chapter with Washington.
