The NFL has long frowned upon players changing uniform numbers in mid-career. That’s why it was a surprise when the league approved the Bears Evan Rodriguez new number, .17.
The second-year tight end/fullback was arrested twice in recent weeks for alcohol-related incidents.
In a team-issued press release, an apologetic Rodriguez said the change in uniform numbers will help him to “move on and deal with my personal demons,” Rodriguez had similar issues while at West Virginia University and later after transferring to Temple University.
“This situation is not unlike the ones I faced at WVU and Temple. In fact, it really helped me when I changed my uniform number from 99 when at West Virginia to .88 when I played at Temple.”
