No NFL Player Was Allowed To Wear No. 0 For 50 Seasons

Zero is now one of the more popular numbers in the NFL. For half a century it was not available to anyone.

The 1973 numbering system

ESPN: 'In 1973, the NFL standardized jersey numbers by position group,' and no one was granted No. 0. Before that change, according to Pro Football Reference as cited by ESPN, 19 players had worn No. 0 or No. 00.

The 2023 vote

On March 28, 2023, NFL.com reported that owners approved a proposal from the Philadelphia Eagles allowing players to wear No. 0. Every position except offensive and defensive linemen can use it.

Kickers and punters went from 1 through 19 to 0 through 49 and 90 through 99.

The same change widened the numbers available to kickers and punters, who had been limited to 1 through 19, to 0 through 49 and 90 through 99.

• 01Before 1973: 19 players wore 0 or 00 (Pro Football Reference, via ESPN)
• 021973: numbers standardized by position, no one given 0
• 03March 28, 2023: owners approve the Eagles' proposal
• 04Linemen on both sides still cannot wear 0