Jaycee Horn became the first player of the Carolina Panthers to take advantage of the new NFL rules regarding the numbering of jerseys.
The rookie picked number 8, the same one used by the legend of Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, his idol from his early years in the world of sports after being the eighth overall selection.
“It’s a great number, it’s definitely in mind. I’m looking at some of those single digits, too, though. See how it works out. My brother was talking to me about it on the way over here and change my mind a little bit. We’ll see how it shakes out.” Horn said.
Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash outside Los Angeles, on January 26, 2020. The legend and his 13 year-old daughter Gianna were among nine killed Sunday in a helicopter crash in the hills outside Los Angeles. They reportedly were on their way to a basketball tournament for youngsters.
The football league recently changed the numbering rule to give players greater freedom in selecting jerseys. Cornerbacks, for example, are no longer required to choose single-digit numbers and instead have a deck ranging from 1 to 49.
Horn could have gone in several directions. In 2018, in South Carolina, he wore No. 7, while in the 2019 and 2020 campaigns he changed to No. 1.
The No. 1, however, was unavailable, as quarterback Cam Newton, the 2011 Draft’s No. 1 overall pick, was the first to defend him in Panthers history.
The most representative was the punter, Brad Nortman, from 2012 to 2015 among the players who chose No. 8 in the history of the Carolina team.
