Can You Wear #69 in the NFL?
The short answer is yes, NFL players are allowed to wear the number 69 jersey, specifically offensive and defensive linemen. But its taboo status as a sexual reference has made it an infamous part of football history.
The Meaning and History of #69 in Football Culture
Unlike other major pro sports leagues, the NFL does not outright ban the number 69 on uniforms. This contradiction has made it near legendary amongst fans and players alike.
The double entendre meaning tied to the 69 sex position is well-known. Some opportunistic players have chosen it hoping to gain attention as rebels flaunting football‘s conservative image.
Others perhaps wore #69 more innocently to represent a special year (birth, wedding) without realizing the potential reactions.
According to Pro Football Reference [1], only 21 players have officially donned #69 in an regular season NFL game. With over 26,000 all-time players [2], this exclusivity has enhanced its mythos.
Let‘s explore some of the most (in)famous #69s in NFL history:
Offensive tackle Todd Steussie of the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers wore #69 for 14 seasons in a Hall of Fame worthy career from 1994-2007.
Offensive lineman Quinton Porter caused controversy by wearing #69 in just 5 games for the 2006 Buffalo Bills. The team denied any sexual intent behind his number.
Defensive end Cameron Jordan has spent all 10+ seasons with the New Orleans Saints wearing #69 to honor his father Steve Jordan‘s draft year (1982).
So while offensive/defensive linemen have primarily donned the number with occasional kickers or fullbacks, the rarity itself perpetuates the notoriety of one of football‘s so-called "taboo" numbers.
Comparing Leagues: Why NFL Allows #69 While NBA Bans It
The NBA is believed to have placed an unofficial league-wide ban on the #69 uniform number. Experts point to the more family-friendly, sponsor-centric image cultivated by pro basketball versus football‘s traditional rough-and-tumble mud-covered roots.
In fact, Dennis Rodman infamously requested to wear 69 with the Mavericks but was swiftly rejected in 2000. He settled for #70.
Meanwhile in the NHL, goaltender Andrew Desjardins pioneered the #69 jersey for 7 seasons from 2011-2018 likely without knowledge of cultural connotations. Hockey analysts argue international players may overlook American sexual slang.
So while the NBA sanitizes branding, and the NHL slips by uncensored, the NFL continues upholding #69‘s rebel status as an option but never fully embracing its controversy.
NFL Numbering System Rules and History
The National Football League first implemented official numbering systems for player uniforms in 1973, coinciding with the American Football League (AFL) merger [3].
While updates occur occasionally, the numbering guide establishes ranges to broadly identify player positions. Below is a summary:
| Position | Allowed Number Range |
|---|---|
| Quarterbacks | 1-19 |
| Running Backs | 1-49 |
| Wide Receivers | 10–19, 80–89 |
| Tight Ends | 40–49, 80–89 |
| Offensive Line | 60–79 |
| Defensive Line | 60–79, 90–99 |
| Linebackers | 40–59, 90–99 |
You‘ll notice offensive line and defensive line have the widest ranges spanning multiple eligible decades. This enables looser #69 allowances.
Meanwhile the league fully retires select numbers like #99 to honor legends like Wayne Gretzky. #00 and #0 have special historical meanings tied to Jim Otto ("aught" = zero) and wide receiver Ken Burrough ("zero factor" = no fear).
But #69 continues its legendary outlaw status as the NFL‘s most recognized "sex number"…for now.
Current Players Wearing #69 Jersey Numbers
While position numbering sets boundaries, players ultimately choose their jersey digits. For those opting to rock #69 each Sunday, they embrace its taboo reputation knowingly or not.
Here are 2023‘s notable #69 NFL athletes at the O-line and D-line spots:
| Player | Position | Team | Years Worn #69 |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Bakhtiari | Offensive Tackle | Green Bay Packers | 2016–Present |
| Cameron Jordan | Defensive End | New Orleans Saints | 2011–Present |
Bakhtiari allegedly [4] decided randomly on #69 when told to pick a number in the 60s/70s range befitting his role. Jordan as mentioned commemorates his father‘s NFL years with the Minnesota Vikings.
While others could presumably sign #69 contracts anytime, these two elite players lengthen its storied legacy weekly.
Conclusion: #69 an Outlier Number Laden with Controversy
In summary, while the #69 jersey violates most professional league standards, NFL regulations do allow its niche usage for linemen. This contradiction has built its notoriety amongst gridiron fans and participants for decades.
Those opting to wear #69 typically generate press and conversations related to sexual innuendo assumptions. But for some, like Cameron Jordan, the decision honors deeper personal meaning that outweighs any peripheral attention.
What is definite is the number‘s legendary status remains cemented, defying numerical convention and professional sports tradition alike. #69 maintains an irreverent middle finger to decorum much like football itself.
- https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/uniform.cgi?number=69
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/240386/number-of-nfl-players-in-the-us-by-years/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_number_(American_football)
- https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/commanders/three-fun-facts-about-packers-david-bakhtiari
