Chiefs LB Jeffrey Bassa's jersey number choice serves as a tribute to both his family and his fallen Oregon Ducks teammate

Choosing your jersey number in the NFL can sometimes be deeply personal and have much meaning. 

That's certainly the case for Kansas City Chiefs rookie Jeffrey Bassa, who chose a number that might be considered unique for a linebacker. He picked jersey No. 31, which you're probably more likely to see on a defensive back or running back in the NFL. 

So why the odd jersey choice for Bassa? He spoke to reporters on Day 2 of Chiefs rookie minicamp, explaining that the decision was two-fold. . . 

Chiefs LB Jeffrey Bassa honors his family and pays tribute to late Vikings CB Khyree Jackson

In July of 2024, the NFL and college football world were stricken by a tragedy when CB Khyree Jackson was killed in an automobile crash. The No. 108 pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2024 NFL Draft didn't get to play a snap in the league before his death. 

Bassa told reporters that he chose to wear No. 31 to honor Jackson, with whom he played on the Oregon Ducks in 2023.

"Yeah, 31," Bassa began. "So the first reason was for my (Oregon Ducks) teammate, Khyree Jackson, who was on the Minnesota Vikings. He passed away and wore 31 when he got drafted to the Vikings last year. So, I wanted to honor him." 

Jackson wore jersey No. 5 with the Ducks, but when he got to the NFL, he chose No. 31. The Vikings didn't allow players to wear No. 31 last season, but the No. 31 decal was also worn on every Vikings player's helmet to honor Jackson all season long. This is Bassa's version of that, in a way.

Additionally, the No. 31 jersey made sense to Bassa because of his family dynamic with his four siblings. 

"But then a little bit of reasoning is for my for my family as well," Bassa said. "I've got three sisters, and I'm the only boy, so I kind of see the three and the one go hand in hand." 

These are certainly two compelling reasons to choose a jersey number that might look unusual on a player in his position group. Honoring Jackson also reminds Bassa of the standard the two players held each other to when they were teammates in Eugene, Oregon. 

"I just want to say rest in peace to my brother, Khyree Jackson, a guy who was very passionate for the game," Bassa concluded. "A guy that I remember having a lot of conversations about life, and then, as well as him being hard on me and me being hard on him. So, yeah, I wanted to honor him, but then for my family as well."