Jets Rookie Paid A Hefty Sum To Get His Number

It was easy to see why the New York Jets made Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner their top choice in the 2022 NFL Draft.

In his three years with the Cincinnati Bearcats, the cornerback had 68 tackles and nine interceptions.

He is also a three-time First-Team All-American Athletic Conference member.

In his final year in college, the Detroit native became a consensus All-American and AAC Defensive Player of the Year.

His solid play helped Cincinnati play in the College Football Playoff after winning the AAC Championship.

But in the NFL, nothing will be given to him and he must earn his stripes.

The Jets are taking a gamble on him and Gardner must make sure that he’s worth the investment.

He did sign his four-year, $33.4 million fully-guaranteed rookie contract.

Yet as the Jets pay him to play, he also shelled out some money to acquire his jersey number.

How much does wearing No. 1 mean to Sauce Gardner? He paid teammate D.J. Reed $50k for the number. #Jets pic.twitter.com/FORG0nF8CU

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) June 14, 2022

ESPN’s Rich Cimini tweeted, “How much does wearing No. 1 mean to Sauce Gardner? He paid teammate D.J. Reed $50k for the number.”

Reed is also a cornerback who has played for the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Jets this offseason.

What’s The Issue With Not Having Their Old Number?

Giving money to wear a specific number isn’t new and it happens in other major sporting leagues in the United States like the NBA, MLB, and NHL.

But the reason for doing it remains unknown.

Do they acquire extra power whenever they have that number?

Are these players numerologists who believe in sticking to one number from high school to the NFL?

Or is it just out of habit?

All can be forgiven if they play their hearts out and build successful careers.

Otherwise, it’s would be a shame for Gardner to wear number one but not playing as the team’s best defensive back.