Jerry Rice became the most prolific receiver in NFL history wearing jersey No. 80. He set 18 NCAA Division II records wearing No. 88 for Mississippi Valley State.
But Rod Smith, the leading receiver in Broncos history, wears No. 80. And No. 88 is worn by tight end Jeb Putzier.
So Rice went shopping for another number that would look good on him in orange and blue.
With a little help from his 9-year-old daughter, Jada, he came up with No. 19.
“Really, it was a conversation between my youngest daughter and I,” Rice said Wednesday.
“We came up with No. 19. And I thought, ‘Well, with Rod Smith, there was no way I was going to come in here and try and take that jersey off of his back, because I have so much respect for him.’ So my daughter and I talked about it and we came up with 19. It looks pretty good, huh?”
