Keon Bynum Makes History As First Colts Player To Wear Number 0
The second-year defensive back marks a milestone while Anthony Ward reclaims his lucky seven.
Kavita has a diverse background in finance, teaching, and writing. She did her MBA in Finance and HR at Solapur University, and bachelors in Education at Pune University. Kavita took to writing after being a teacher for four years.
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The Indianapolis Colts have made a piece of jersey number history as defensive back Keon Bynum becomes the first player in franchise history to wear the number 0. The team announced the milestone jersey assignment on their official Instagram account, along with news that Anthony Ward has reunited with his signature number 7.
The image shared by the Colts shows Bynum in his practice jersey displaying the single-digit 0, creating a notable moment in the team’s uniform history. This follows the NFL’s 2021 rule change that expanded jersey number options for players, including allowing the use of 0.
Bynum, now entering his second year with the Colts, has claimed a unique place in team history by becoming the first player to wear 0 since the number became available to NFL players. The defensive back joined the Colts in 2023 and is now part of a growing trend across the league of players selecting the distinctive digit.
The NFL’s jersey number rules were significantly relaxed in 2021, allowing for more position groups to wear single digits. This change has given players more freedom to select numbers that hold personal significance or to establish new identities on the field.
Meanwhile, Anthony Ward’s reunion with the number 7 represents a return to his preferred jersey after possibly wearing a different number previously. Many NFL players develop strong connections to specific numbers throughout their careers, often based on personal significance or past success.
The Colts’ announcement comes as the team prepares for the upcoming season, with players reporting for training sessions and team activities. The jersey number assignments are part of the pre-season preparations as the roster takes shape.
The Indianapolis Colts, founded in 1953 and originally based in Baltimore before relocating to Indianapolis in 1984, have been focused on building a competitive team following their 2023 campaign. The team finished with a 9-8 record last season, narrowly missing the playoffs despite showing promise with quarterback Anthony Richardson before his injury.
Recent posts from the Colts’ Instagram account show the team’s preparations are well underway. One post captioned “Day 2 #ForTheShoe” highlights the ongoing training camp activities, while another featuring a player with the caption “Workhorse” suggests intensive preparation for the upcoming season.
Another notable recent post showed a player with the caption “Got a new shade of blue,” potentially indicating uniform updates or new equipment for the coming season. The team has also been sharing emotional moments from the draft process, including a post captioned “Tyler gets the call,” showing the powerful moment when a new player received news of his selection.
The Colts franchise boasts a storied history that includes two Super Bowl victories (V and XLI) and multiple conference championships. The team has featured legendary players like Johnny Unitas, Peyton Manning, and more recently, Andrew Luck.
Now, as players like Bynum make history with new jersey numbers and the team prepares for the 2024 season, the organization continues to build on its tradition while embracing changes that come with the modern NFL.
The jersey number announcements may seem like a small detail, but for players, these numbers often become part of their identity on the field. For Bynum, wearing 0 represents not just a personal choice but a place in Colts history as the franchise’s first player to sport the unique digit.
As training camps continue and the regular season approaches, Colts fans will be watching closely to see how Bynum performs in his historic number 0 jersey and how Ward carries forward with his return to number 7, all while hoping these small details translate to big success on the field.
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