How cool is this?

Several years ago, I won a stair-climbing race at the Energy Centre here in New Orleans. The Saints' punter was on hand (Brian Hansen, I think it was) to give out the awards. My award was this #5 Saints jersey, in the style worn during the Rickey Jackson – Sam Mills – Vaughan Johnson – Pat Swilling era. Not a fan replica, but the real deal.

Since then, the only #5 playing for the Saints has been Heath Shuler, who did not distinguish himself at the quarterback position.

If you follow football, then you know that the Saints drafted tailback Reggie Bush, who wore #5 at USC. In the NFL, running backs are supposed to wear numbers in the 20s to 40s. A push was made to allow Reggie to keep his #5. But yesterday, the NFL refused to go along.

Before the ruling, Reggie wore #5 during a recent 3-day mini-camp. So he has worn this number as a Saint, albeit for only three days. So now I find myself owning what may be the only official #5 Saints jersey in existence — the only one with Reggie Bush's preferred number.

Comments

[ashley]

Way cool jersey, especially with the Louisiana facsimilies on thesleeves. Only, I have some bad news: 3rd string QB Adrian McPherson has been wearing number 5. Now, I don't know if the 3rd string QB even dresses out, but he does wear number 5.

[Ray]

Damn! Well, I've never seen McPherson play, which explains my not knowing that he has worn #5. (Apparently he would have given it up for Bush.) My understanding is that the third-string QB dresses out for games, but can't actually play unless first- and second-stringers are injured.

[Ryan]

I think Heath Shuler is running for office somewhere (Florida maybe?).