After much speculation it’s finally happened; Linebacker Jaylon Smith will be changing jersey numbers to #9 this season. While this was Smith’s college number and special to him for legitimate reasons, it’s sure to create uproar among Dallas Cowboys fans who consider that number to belong solely to former Quarterback Tony Romo.
Nobody was worn #9 since Romo’s retirement in 2017. While the Cowboys don’t officially retire jersey numbers, some like Roger Staubach’s #12, Troy Aikman’s #8, and Emmitt Smith’s #22 have never been worn by another Dallas player since those legends moved on.
Jaylon Smith is making a jersey switch, moving from No. 54 to No. 9, but it will come at a cost. According to multiple sources, Smith will pay close to mid-six figures to buy out the current inventory of No. 54 jerseys and t-shirts, which follows NFL… https://t.co/zUi2G1Sftg
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) May 25, 2021
While any player being given Romo’s number would illicit a strong response, it will be especially tough for Jaylon Smith as one of the most maligned players currently on the roster. Smith’s declining performance the last two years, along with a seeming lack of self-awareness with his celebrations and public remarks, have severely hurt his popularity with Cowboys Nation.
The idea of Smith switching to #9 was first floated months ago when the NFL changed the rules for allowed jersey numbers based on position. Linebackers were currently only allowed to wear numbers 40-59 or 90-99 under the previous rule.
But with the new rule effective this year, changes are happening throughout the NFL. We already know that rookie LB Micah Parsons is keeping his #11 from Penn State in his first year with Dallas.
For Jaylon Smith, this change is only going to increase the scrutiny and negative reactions from Cowboys fans. Let’s hope that the jersey change comes with a change in his play, otherwise it’s going to be a miserable year for everyone involved.
Instead of changing jersey # spend every minute of
your time trying to improve your Game and show You deserve every dollar You gain.
The jersey isn’t the problem the players in them are
Hopefully Parsons and Cox can challenge Smith for what really matters numbers on the field
Can Smith change his limited quickness?
Changing your number won’t hide Smith’s continually lousy play. Cowboy fans are smarter than that and will hunt him down like a rattlesnake on a hot Texas roadway. Everyone knows that he can’t decipher offenses at the NFL level, that was LVE’s ability. Smith also cannot run side to side very well and converge on targets. The other teams can see it in the films. It’s time to dump the overpriced overhead in favor of the new class. Smith will never be Dat Nguyen or Lee Roy Jordan. Mr. Jones, loose him during June when you have the chance.
Don thats The thing, he should be focuse on improving his Game, not in changing his jersey number as a Child, “oh Parson Will use his College number, i’ll do they same…..”
If smith wants to wear #9 then he needs to put this team on his back and carry them the way tony did for so many years.