Mohamed Sanu will wear No. 14 for the Patriots, because 12 was unavailable solely due to pesky NFL rules
Veteran receiver Mohamed Sanu will wear No. 14 for the Patriots. That’s solely because NFL rules prevent him from getting it off sixth-round pick Tom Brady.
Mohamed Sanu of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball against Captain Munnerlyn of the Carolina Panthers in the third quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Grant Halverson/Getty ImagesBy Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Veteran wide receiver Mohamed Sanu is officially a member of the New England Patriots. Just one problem: he's worn No. 12 his whole career. And thanks solely to pesky NFL rules, he needs a new jersey number.
As reported by Mike Reiss, Sanu will wear No. 14 for the Patriots. Reiss also reported that special teams DB Justin Bethel will wear 29.
Former Patriots WR, now-Jets WR Braxton Berrios was the last to wear 14. It's also been worn by Brandin Cooks, and most notably quarterback Steve Grogan from 1975-90.
Unfortunately for Sanu, NFL rules prohibit players from changing jersey numbers mid-season. Otherwise, Sanu would've almost certainly had No. 12 gifted to him by 2000 sixth-round pick Tom Brady. Sanu was a third-round pick so he gets seniority in all situations where the rules allow. Everyone knows that's how it works.
Brady better do the No. 12 proud, or else it's going to be horribly contentious in the Patriots locker room.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
