Jerry Jones Gets CeeDee Lamb to Change His Jersey Number for a Special Reason
In the first round of the 2020 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys decided to take former Oklahoma standout wide receiver Ceedee Lamb. That has added another viable threat to their passing game with one of the best talents at his position in this year’s rookie class. Ahead of Lamb’s rookie campaign, one of the most significant decisions he has to make is regarding his number choice. That part was heavily influenced by team owner Jerry Jones, who had his eyes on the rookie wideout wearing a particular number that he wound up choosing before the 2020 season.
Cowboys take Ceedee Lamb
In the weeks leading up to the draft, there was uncertainty about what direction the Cowboys would head with the first-round pick.
Things played out in a manner in their favor to snag one of the best wide receivers in this year’s class with Lamb falling to them at the 17th overall selection. There were some rumblings that Dallas would consider moving up to snag either Lamb or Jerry Jeudy, but the former fell into their lap at their spot.
The former Oklahoma product put forth a highly productive three-year collegiate career, which he was coming off posting 62 catches for 1,367 receiving yards with 14 touchdowns. That helped him earn a consensus All-American selection and a First-Team All-Big 12 nomination.
Lamb joins an already talented group of wide receivers alongside Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. Before the rookie wideout embarked on his NFL career, Jones had one request for the 21-year-old.
Jerry Jones wants Ceedee Lamb to wear No. 88
For the first time since 2010, the Cowboys took a wide receiver with their first-round pick as Dez Bryant was the last selection.
Beyond Jones having much optimism about Lamb’s bright NFL future, he wants the Oklahoma product to honor both Bryant and Hall of Famer Michael Irvin by wearing No. 88, according to Calvin Watkins on The Dallas Morning News.
“I said in honor of my great friend, that just passed [last] year, we’re going to have his namesake come on here and wear old No. 88 like Michael and Dez and those guys and we got us a receiver,” Jerry Jones said. “And let me tell you one thing if he’s got the [competitive nature] and hearts of that Jerry Lamb, he’ll be bad to the bone.”
Jones sees a lot of Bryant and Irvin in Lamb, which he believes that he can live up to the reputation that wearing No. 88 has with the organization. Irvin put forth a Hall of Fame career while Bryant had several highly productive campaigns and became the all-time franchise leader in receiving touchdowns.
These are lofty expectations, but ones that Jones believes Lamb can embrace and potentially fulfill with the Cowboys.
Ceedee Lamb honors Jerry Jones’ request
It didn’t take long for Lamb to respond to that request from Jones as reports on Thursday suggest that he will take on No. 88 with the Cowboys.
He had a desire to wear No. 10 with the franchise but has decided to don Bryant and Irvin’s old number. That only places a more significant amount of pressure on his shoulders to fulfill his potential. Lamb is viewed as being one of the top talents in his draft class, which he could quickly emerge as a critical component of the Cowboys’ passing game.
Dallas will give him every opportunity to showcase his ability in his rookie campaign as he has big-play ability that quickly gives him a spot in the offense. There is plenty of hype around Lamb, but playing in an already talented group of skilled-position players could allow him to find success out of the gate in his rookie campaign.
