Announcing rookie numbers earlier this week, one name remained noticeably absent from the Dallas Cowboys list. Selected with the No. 17 overall pick, CeeDee Lamb apparently wanted to don the number seventeen at the professional level of play. However, the man signing the paycheck, Jerry Jones, had a different idea.
Cowboys rookie WR CeeDee Lamb will wear No. 88, the same number as Michael Irvin, Drew Pearson and Dez Bryant. Lamb wanted to wear No. 10, but Jerry Jones said he wanted Lamb to wear 88.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 30, 2020
Being reported through numerous outlets, Lamb will wear the prestigious No. 88 — the same jersey number which previously belonged to Drew Pearson, Michael Irvin, and Dez Bryant.
While many Cowboys fans will immediately compare the productivity to the incoming rookie to some of the greatest wide outs to play for Dallas, Jones cited a different reason for the decision. Receiving news of the passing of Jerry Lamb who wore No. 88 with the Arkansas Razorbacks, the owner of America’s Team opted to honor his late friend.
According to 247Sports, Jones went on record saying, “in honor of my great friend that just passed this year we’re going to have his namesake come in here and wear old number 88. Just like Michael and Dez and those guys, and we’ve got us a wide receiver. And let me tell you one thing if he’s got the competes and Herat of that Jerry Lamb he’ll be bad to the bone.”
It looks like the expectations for CeeDee Lamb are soaring even before the receiver has taken his first snap in an NFL jersey. Needless to say, the rookie is in a favorable spot while playing next to the likes of Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. Those names virtually guarantee that Lamb will not see a double team all year long.