Minnesota Vikings announce jersey numbers for new players
By Adam Carlson
Jersey numbers for the new members of the Minnesota Vikings have been announced including those for Sheldon Richardson and Kendall Wright.
Normally, players choosing their jersey numbers when joining a new franchise isn’t news. Typically, numbers are picked that have been worn before or have symbolism in their lives, but the new faces to the Minnesota Vikings made some interesting choices according to the official website of the team.
One player chose the number 79, with new-coming offensive lineman and Minnesota native Tom Compton wearing that jersey, taking the number from Reid Fragel. Meanwhile, guard Josh Andrews will wear the #64 jersey previously worn by Willie Beavers.
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Quarterback Trevor Siemian wore the #13 for most of his career, but donned the #3 with the Denver Broncos when Peyton Manning was on the roster, and will return to the #3 jersey with the Vikings. That jersey number wasn’t worn last year.
The #93 jersey is a big one as far as the history of the franchise. It was worn by Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive lineman John Randle as well as longtime defensive tackle Kevin Williams. Now, another big, disrupting body will be wearing that jersey since Sheldon Richardson has chosen that number.
Finally, and most interestingly, wide receiver Kendall Wright will be wearing the #17 jersey for Minnesota. That means fans who purchased a Jarius Wright jersey in the past won’t have to make a single adjustment to to their fan apparel since Jarius wore that number during his previous seasons with the team.
Revealed earlier this offseason, Kirk Cousins will keep the #8 that he wore with the Washington Redskins and Michigan State University. Of course, Sam Bradford was the last to wear the #8 jersey before it belonged to the Vikings $84 million quarterback.
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Considering the lineage, it’s great to see Cousins, Richardson, Wright, and Siemian wearing numbers that mean a lot to them. Hopefully, all the new faces with the Minnesota Vikings will find success and wear these numbers on purple and gold jerseys for a long, long time.