Every NFL jersey number has a story, but no other is as deep as No. 1 for the Green Bay Packers. It’s been almost a century since anyone wore it. And it was none other than Curly Lambeau. The Packers’ founder, player, and coach made it legendary in the 1920s. Since then, the number has lingered like folklore. It’s been untouched, almost sacred. 

But that changed this year when Micah Parsons, fresh off a blockbuster trade from Dallas, shook the football world by claiming that very jersey. What made this possible? How did Parsons snag a look that should’ve been locked under NFL rule changes? The answer lies at the crossroads of history and a league trying to loosen its grip on uniform rules. 

Parsons is known for wearing No. 11 with the Cowboys and in college. But couldn’t keep that number at Green Bay. Wide receiver Jayden Reed already had it, and Reed himself wanted No. 1 back in 2023. But was denied because “it wasn’t available.” So, how did Parsons get the green light to resurrect this ghost number?

There’s a wrinkle in the NFL’s jersey numbering system that played a huge role. Micah Parsons was classified as a linebacker coming into the league. The NFL has position-based number restrictions that should have barred Parsons from No. 1, at least when it comes to linemen. But linebackers can wear single-digit numbers under the current rules. It’s a loophole he used to his advantage, consciously or not.

And this move isn’t without precedent in NFL lore. Players have jumped positions or exploited numbering quirks before to fit their brand or identity on the field. But it’s rare to see a move so deliberate and tied to deep team tradition. The Packers organization spent years documenting every number worn by players since the 1920s, digging through game programs archived locally and at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

This extensive research uncovered that no clear photographic evidence showed Curly Lambeau wearing No. 1. It only helped the communications department piece together a fairly complete list of uniform numbers dating back to 1925. Information from 1919 to 24 remains sparse and incomplete because of inconsistent numbering practices then. But this project formed a definitive resource for the team’s annual media guide.

Still, no one wore No. 1 for good reason, even though it wasn’t officially retired, because of the huge burden it would place on any player to live up to Lambeau’s legendary legacy. It shows the Packers organization clearly put Parsons in a tier fit for honoring such a prestigious digit, signaling they believe he’s worthy to wear a number steeped in franchise history. That’s a big deal when the number’s been off the field for nearly 100 years. But over the years, the NFL rules have evolved when it comes to jersey numbers, so let’s take a look at how the numbering system is complicated and changing fast.

The NFL jersey numbers: what changed and why it matters

One of the major rule changes came in 2021 when the league overhauled its numbering rules. It was the first big change since 1973. And it was to fix a practical problem: teams were running out of numbers within traditional position ranges because of many retired digits. The Kansas City Chiefs led the charge for this revamp, pushing for more flexibility. 

Then came the 2023 update, which reinstated No. 0. But the number became available to almost all positions except offensive and defensive linemen. The bottom line? Linebackers, like Micah Parsons, can now wear numbers from 0 to 59, and even 90 to 99, expanding their options dramatically.

Before these updates, numbering was a neat code for fans, officials, and players to know who was who on the field. Linemen always have 50–79 to keep things clear. Now, with more relaxed rules, identifying players just by numbers has gotten trickier. Tom Brady voiced concerns that this confusion might even create safety risks on the field, as rapidly recognizing a player’s position can be critical in avoiding errors. 

College football hasn’t had these restrictions, yet it’s a simpler game. The NFL’s broader rule overhaul aims to modernize the game but runs the risk of muddying those old-school signals everyone once relied on.

Micah Parsons’ No. 1 jersey move sits right at this tension point. The league allows linebackers to wear single digits, but offensive or defensive linemen still can’t. Parsons’ linebacker classification allowed him this badge of honor. It’s a technicality in the new rules, but a statement in the player legacy game.