Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Lions rookie Jameson Williams texted Matthew Stafford about wearing No. 9

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 8/10/22

Jameson Williams clearly wants to endear himself to the Detroit Lions franchise and its fans, even if it isn't clear when he will be able to play his first NFL game.

So when the rookie wide receiver decided he wanted to wear Matthew Stafford's old jersey number, he reportedly texted the former Lions quarterback himself to ask if it was okay.

#Lions rookie Jameson Williams has officially switched his jersey to No. 9 — Matthew Stafford’s old Detroit number. He was looking for a single digit number and actually reached out to Stafford on his own via text as an act of courtesy, according to a source. Classy move. pic.twitter.com/wzkhJmQRQd
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) August 10, 2022

According to ESPN, Williams was originally going to wear No. 18 as a nod to retired wideout Calvin Johnson's No. 81, but preferred to wear a single-digit number. Stafford set multiple franchise records during his 12-year tenure wearing No. 9 before he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in January 2021.

As for Williams, the Lions are being very cautious with a timetable for the rookie's first game. Williams sustained an ACL injury during the collegiate national championship game in January, putting a disappointing end to what was a sparkling college career with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The No. 12 overall pick from this year's NFL Draft has still been present at training camp, however, and has been spotted regularly carrying a football wherever he goes.

Since the start of training camp, Jameson Williams has held a football in his hand the entire time throughout each practice.

Dan Campbell stated he doesn’t know why and that no one told him to. pic.twitter.com/OD7TnjScfd
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) July 30, 2022