News Summary
Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions shares a quirky story about his jersey number selection process, which was based on a miscount by his girlfriend. This amusing mix-up has gained attention through a Netflix docuseries, illustrating how minor details can have unexpected consequences in athletes’ careers. The incident highlights St. Brown’s journey and dedication, while also reflecting the humorous side of professional sports.
Detroit, Michigan — Jersey Number Mix-Up Originates from a Counting Mistake Made by the Player’s Girlfriend
An amusing and widely discussed story from the NFL involves Amon-Ra St. Brown, a wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, whose jersey number choice was influenced by a simple miscount by his girlfriend. The incident, which has gained attention through a Netflix docuseries, underscores how small details can impact professional athletes’ careers.
Background on Amon-Ra St. Brown’s NFL Career
Amon-Ra St. Brown was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Since entering the league, he has established himself as a key offensive player for the team. Known for his precise route-running, reliable hands, and consistency, he has become one of the team’s most prominent offensive weapons. Despite his young career, St. Brown has achieved significant accolades, including being named a two-time first-team All-Pro defender and accumulating impressive statistics, with over 115 receptions, close to 1,300 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns in the 2024 season.
The Jersey Number Choice and Its Origin
At college, St. Brown wore the number 8 jersey while playing at USC. When transitioning to the NFL, he wanted a jersey number that reflected the order in which wide receivers were drafted, as part of a personal tradition. He decided to select his number based on the count of wide receivers taken before him in the 2021 draft.
The Counting Mistake and Its Consequences
To confirm the number, St. Brown asked his girlfriend, Brooklyn Adams, to count the wide receivers drafted before him. Unbeknownst to him, Adams miscounted, informing him that 14 receivers had been drafted ahead of him. In reality, the count was 16. Relying on her count, St. Brown chose the number 14 for his NFL jersey.
Looking back, St. Brown has reflected that he should have opted for number 16, which would have accurately reflected the number of receivers drafted before him. Interestingly, the Lions’ quarterback, Jared Goff, already wore number 16 on the team, leading to a natural alignment between the team’s roster and St. Brown’s jersey choice.
Public Revelation and Media Attention
The story of the jersey number mix-up gained notoriety after being featured prominently in Season 2 of the Netflix series “Quarterback”. The episode highlighted the humorous and relatable side of professional football and showcased how even minor mistakes can influence an athlete’s career decisions.
Personal Details and Family Background
Beyond his NFL career, St. Brown comes from a football family. He has brothers, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Equanimeous St. Brown, who also play in the league. Their mother, Miriam Brown, is originally from Germany, and the family’s background and development were discussed in a popular podcast. The family’s athletic environment was described as contributing to their success in professional sports.
Additional Notes
St. Brown is noted not only for his on-field performance but also for his meticulous approach to his career, including keeping a notebook of the receivers drafted ahead of him in 2021. Meanwhile, the family drew some online controversy after comments made on a podcast regarding athlete development and ‘breeding,’ which sparked backlash and debate on social media platforms.
Summary
Overall, the jersey number story illustrates how small, everyday decisions—such as who counts the draft picks—can have unexpected consequences. Despite the mix-up, Amon-Ra St. Brown continues to thrive professionally, demonstrating resilience and dedication in the highly competitive environment of the NFL.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- CBS Sports: Why Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown Wears the Wrong No. 14 Jersey
- Sports Illustrated: Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Girlfriend Accidentally Led Him to Pick Wrong Jersey Number
- Fox News: NFL Player’s Dad Ignites Social Media Frenzy with Racially Charged Remarks
- Wikipedia: Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Pride of Detroit: Hilarious Story Behind Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Jersey Number
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