Marcus Mariota has caused a stir before even setting foot on the field for the Washington Commanders due to the number he will have on the back of his jersey.
It was announced by the Commanders that Mariota will have the number 0 on his back, becoming the very first quarter-back to ever do so.
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He recently signed a one-year deal with the Commanders as a free agent and his number, along with other new signings, was announced on Thursday.
The only reason that Mariota is able to sport this number is thanks to a recent rule change. In March 2023, team owners agreed to amend the rules and allow the number 0 for the first time in decades.
The first player to make use of this rule change was wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who claimed it for the Jacksonville Jaguars almost immediately after the announcement was made.
More than 20 players made the same move in all sorts of positions, but Mariota is going to be the first quarterback to do so.
Mariota happy to switch numbers
Mariota has worn an array of numbers during his career with teams like the Tennessee Titans, the Las Vegas Raiders and the Atlanta Falcons.
He spent last season with the Philadelphia Eagles where he was wearing the number 8 jersey, which he said was an ode to the eight Hawaiian islands. Mariota made history in 2014 when he won the Heisman Award, becoming the first Oregon player and Hawaii native to do so.
With numbers one and eight taken already at Washington, he has been forced to switch things up and has taken zero.
