A couple of years ago, the NFL made a rule change in regards to jersey numbers.
The expanded jerseys allowed running backs, tight ends, fullbacks, H-backs, and wide receivers to wear numbers 1-49 and 80-89; defensive backs can choose from 1-49; linebackers 1-59 and 90-99; offensive linemen 50-79; and defensive linemen 50-79 and 90-99. QBs, kickers, and punters will remain in 1-19.
Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson took advantage of the rule change, switching from No. 54 to No. 7 - the number he sported while at the University of Washington.
After the first couple weeks of returning to his college number, he told reporters it makes him feel like he's back at Washington and playing fast. "There's just something about that seven."
But No. 54 holds a special place in Thompson's heart as well. It's the number he chose when he first arrived to Carolina and wore it when the team went to the Super Bowl in his rookie season. Over the weekend, he asked fans if he should switch back to No. 54 or keep No. 7.
Thompson was also in the news recently for restructuring his contract to remain with the Panthers. The reworked contract will pay the second longest-tenured Panther $3.1 million, clearing roughly $3 million in cap space.
Thompson is entering his tenth year with the organization that drafted him 25th overall back in 2015. In his career, Thompson has recorded 717 tackles, 52 tackles for loss, 31 QB hits, 26 passes defended, 12 sacks, and three interceptions.
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