Adrian Wilson, the former Arizona Cardinals safety who recently signed with the Patriots, wants to wear No. 24 in New England. And he wants it badly.
Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe reported that Wilson offered cornerback Kyle Arrington, who currently wears No. 24, a year's supply of diapers in exchange for the number.
But for Arrington, whose wife recently gave birth to the couple's first son, that might not be enough.
The fifth-year cornerback added another item to the bargaining table.
@shalisemyoung may have to throw some formula in there too
— Kyle Arrington (@Arrington24_7) March 21, 2013
It might sound silly, but jersey numbers are actually a big deal for professional athletes. Last year Mario Williams tried to acquire No. 90 from new Buffalo Bills teammate Chris Kelsay, but Kelsay wouldn't budge.
“I've worn it my entire career here," Kelsay said at the time. "A lot of times in a situation like this, the guy will buy it from you. But I'm not really interested in that. People who have never played don't realize how attached you can actually get to a number. Having played with it my whole career, it was something I don't really want to part with and he completely understood. That was basically it.”
In the past, players have paid tens of thousands of dollars for specific numbers. Several years ago Washignton Redskins running back Clinton Portis agreed to pay defensive back Ifeanyi Ohalete $40,000 for No. 26. But when Ohalete was released by the team, he accused Portis of stopping payments. Ohalete went as far as to sue Portis for the money.
Here's hoping that Wilson and Arrington can strike a deal without going to court.
