What Do the Jersey Numbers Mean?

In the game of American football, numbers are very important. And not just in scoring. The number of yards covered, how many downs a team has, the number of players on the field (one extra man = you have a penalty!) And then there’s the jersey numbers.
According to official NFL Rule 5, Section 1, Article 4, players must wear numerals on their jerseys. Personally, I think this is a great rule because 1) once you learn what they mean, it’s much easier to follow what’s happening on the field and 2) can’t you just see some players coming up with some quirky sayings or flair to distract their opponents? I can…
On April 5, 1973, a jersey-numbering system was adopted by the NFL where each position on the football field is given a range of numbers for each player in those positions to choose from.
Who wears what?

• 1-9 Quarterbacks and Kickers
• 10-19 Quarterbacks, Receivers, Tight Ends, and Kickers
• 20-49 Running Backs and Defensive Backs
• 50-59 Centers and Linebackers
• 60-79 Defensive Linemen and Offensive Linemen
• 80-89 Receivers and Tight Ends (or 40-49 if those ranges are taken)
• 90-99 Defensive Linemen and Linebackers

There are a few exceptions to the rule.
What happens if a player changes his position during his NFL career, moving him into a new category? Rare, but in that instance, he must be issued an appropriate new jersey number.
During the preseason period when rosters are larger, the NFL will allow some duplication and changes from the norm, but the rule must be followed during the regular season and postseason.
Still having trouble identifying which player is which as the chaos that is football takes over the screen? Try body type. Read our individual player posts and learn more about their roles and build. And if you’re still confused, that’s alright. Practice, read and watch. We’re here to help!