Landing your favorite jersey number doesn’t always come cheap for NFL rookies. Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty learned that firsthand.
The first-round draft pick was sporting his preferred No. 2 jersey when organized team activities kicked off last week. It cost him a few thousand dollars to pry the number away from kicker Daniel Carlson, Jeanty said.
“I got to drop that little bag for No. 2,” Jeanty said on the “Up and Adams” show, noting that the price tag wasn’t quite enough to buy a house. “You could buy a nice Mercedes GLE.”
The Mercedes-Benz GLE fetches around $60,000 at most dealerships.
Carlson started his career sporting No. 8 but switched to No. 2 when now-Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota signed with the Raiders before the 2020 season.
Jeanty said it was an easy decision since going pro after his Boise State stardom.
“I’ve worn it the majority of my career,” the rookie said. “It’s the day greatness was born, the day I was born: December 2. It’s a family number. All my family members who played sports, they wore No. 2.”
Las Vegas fans have flocked to the NFL’s online shop to grab their Jeanty gear. The Heisman Trophy finalist ranked fourth in rookie jersey sales, the league said last month.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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