Reggie Bush will appeal to wear No. 5 in NFL

[chefsos]

Here's how it shakes out in my perfect twisted world:

1) Bush's appeal is quickly successful.
2) Philly trades up and drafts him...

Anyway, if this happens it'll be anarchy. Anarchy, I tell ya.
----------------------------------

Bush will appeal to wear No. 5 in NFL
By Stacey Pressman
ESPN.com

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft0...e=NFLHeadlines

How much trouble is a number worth?

Reggie Bush, projected as the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, thinks it's at least worth petitioning the league.

"I want to see if I can keep No. 5," Bush told ESPN The Magazine on the set of a Subway commercial he was shooting in Los Angeles.

The former USC running back and 2005 Heisman Trophy winner has been wearing that jersey number since high school. NFL rules, however, don't allow for running backs to take that number -- 33 years ago the league adopted a numbering system to make it easier for officials to differentiate players by position.

Under the rule, quarterbacks, punters and placekickers wear numbers 1 through 19. Running backs and defensive backs are assigned 20 through 49, while wide receivers and tight ends are given numbers 80 through 89.

Two years ago, due to the increasing amount of retired numbers and more wide receivers and tight ends coming into the league, the NFL allowed those position players to wear either 10-19 or 80-89. A number of wide receivers have been wearing lower-numbered jerseys since, among them Larry Fitzgerald of Arizona (11), Plaxico Burress of New York and Braylon Edwards of Cleveland (17), Randy Moss of Oakland (18) and Troy Williamson of Minnesota (19).

Bush wants to push it one step further to stick with No. 5.

"I think someone else was able to get their number changed, but even if they turn me down I think it's worth a try," Bush said.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined to comment on Bush's plan to petition the league, though history is working against him. In 2004, running back Edgerrin James talked to the NFL about letting him wearing No. 5, which he had worn in Pop Warner, high school and at the University of Miami, but he was reportedly rebuffed.

Jersey numbers have turned into a big business. Players routinely have paid thousands of dollars for a jersey of their liking.

There has even been a lawsuit -- two years ago, Ifeanyi Ohalete agreed to sell No. 26 to his new Washington Redskins teammate Clinton Portis for $40,000. But Ohalete, who was released from the team before the season, sued after Portis didn't pay him half of the fee. The two eventually reached a settlement worth $18,000.

Bush has extra incentive to try to land No. 5. His Subway commercial, which debuted on Monday, encourages fans to "get inside No. 5" and features that number throughout the spot.

If Bush could somehow convince the league to allow him to wear No. 5, he's in luck if he gets drafted by the Houston Texans. No player on the team currently wears that number.

Said Bush: "If I have to pick a new number, I have no idea what it would be."

ESPN.com senior writer Darren Rovell contributed to this story

[CoMoChief]

I dont see why its such a big deal really, its just a number. Everyone knows him as number 5 from college, it would only make more money to the team that drafts him as far as jerseys being sold. This has nothing to do with being bigger than the league. As far as the refs go, making it easier on differiating the players from one another? If they make a call they should know exactly whom they are making it on.

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by jspchief

Are you a Trojans fan?

I would equate it to a guy just getting hired at a job, and walking into the boss' office to suggest they start the day at 9am instead of the 8am start time that has been in place for the last 20 years.

There's such a thing as respecting your place in the grand scheme of things. Instead of trying to change an NFL rule to accommodate a personal preference, I think the average fan would like to see him thankful for the opportunity to earn 10s of millions of dollars before setting foot on the field, regardless of whether he wears #5 or a potato sack.

Its worse than that. It would be akin to knowing that many of your coworkers would like to start at 9:00 but can't, they have to show up at 8:00. Knowing this, you want them to make an exception so you can start at 9:00 any way. You have the audacity to think that perhaps a different set of rules applies to you than everyone else.

[Mecca]

Well considering the league has started to expand what numbers players can wear, such as with WR's. I don't really see the issue, the league basically opened that stuff up by changing some of the number rules last year.

Also why does everything athletes, do relate back to how much money they make? His talent, ability and the general market allow him to make that money. If I meet someone in life who does things I don't like, if they make more money than me I don't spout off with "hey you make more money than me you should be thankful for your opportunity".

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by cdcox

Its worse than that. It would be akin to knowing that many of your coworkers would like to start at 9:00 but can't, they have to show up at 8:00. Knowing this, you want them to make an exception so you can start at 9:00 any way. You have the audacity to think that perhaps a different set of rules applies to you than everyone else.

What about Keyshawn Johnson he wore the number 19 for years when WR's weren't suppose to do that. He didn't even ask, he just did it and paid the fine.

Yea that Reggie Bush what a jackass for asking permission to do something

[jspchief]

Originally Posted by Mecca

Well considering the league has started to expand what numbers players can wear, such as with WR's. I don't really see the issue, the league basically opened that stuff up by changing some of the number rules last year.

Yea, the league changed the rule... not a player.

Also why does everything athletes, do relate back to how much money they make? His talent, ability and the general market allow him to make that money. If I meet someone in life who does things I don't like, if they make more money than me I don't spout off with "hey you make more money than me you should be thankful for your opportunity".

Because that's how people are. They don't like to see someone who already has so much going for him act like a selfish prick.

Besides, for all we know, he could be the next Ki-Jana Carter expecting the NFL to change a rule just for him. I'd think it was selfish if the greatest player in the NFL wanted it. Coming from an unproven rookie, it just comes off that much worse.

[jspchief]

Originally Posted by Mecca

What about Keyshawn Johnson he wore the number 19 for years when WR's weren't suppose to do that. He didn't even ask, he just did it and paid the fine.

Yea that Reggie Bush what a jackass for asking permission to do something

Great comparison. Keyshawn is a douche that has been thrown off a team mid-season for being a douche.

That's the guy that Bush should aspire to be.

[chagrin]

Originally Posted by Mecca

How is appealing to wear a number thinking you're bigger than the league? It's not like he's going "hey I'm going to wear it anyway".

Homer




(just kidding)

[Mecca]

In the end it's just a number.......I really don't think it has much of anything to do with his character. He's what 21-22 years old? I seriously doubt any of this stuff even when through his mind when he asked to be allowed to wear the number. Hell I'm 25 and I didn't think any of that stuff either.

[Logical]

Personally I think it should be allowed, this whole number thing is just stupid, if a ref cannot tell a players position by where he lines up then he does not belong on the field.

[cdcox]

If I were comissioner, I'd make him wear #50 for asking. Call it the Reggie Bush rule.

[jspchief]

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

Personally I think it should be allowed, this whole number thing is just stupid, if a ref cannot tell a players position by where he lines up then he does not belong on the field.

That's a different argument. I don't really have an opinion either way. I kind of like the way different positions have set numbers, but wouldn't care if they eliminated it.

[Logical]

Originally Posted by Mecca

Ok this is funny, people are already talking shit on Reggie Bush cause he wants to wear number 5? So the league can tell him no, I don't see what's wrong with asking to be allowed to do it.

This reaction that anytime a player asks anything they're assholes or think they're bigger than the league is a bit much. I guess everyone here would like every player to be this bland no personality guy who does nothing at all.

This reaction of "OMG HE'S THE ASS" for appealing to wear a number is ridiculous.

[listopencil]

"I think someone else was able to get their number changed, but even if they turn me down I think it's worth a try," Bush said.



Who cares? He asks. They say yes or no, probably no. He moves on. BFD. It's not worth getting your panties in a knot over. It's not like he's demanding something. He's asking. Get off his ass. Jesus Christ.

[chefsos]

Wow, jsp and Mecca have opposing points of view on this subject. Who knew?

Not that the company is Nike or anything, but did anyone else note his Subway deal as a factor here? Looks like they're building some kind of ad campaign around the number 5.

[JBucc]

Originally Posted by chefsos

Wow, jsp and Mecca have opposing points of view on this subject. Who knew?

Not that the company is Nike or anything, but did anyone else note his Subway deal as a factor here? Looks like they're building some kind of ad campaign around the number 5.

Did they dump that skinny fatass guy?