Joe Burrow Says LSU May Re-issue No. 9 Jersey Amid Ongoing Uniform Number Dispute
Quarterback Joe Burrow noted that LSU has not permanently retired his No. 9 jersey, while the school faces a controversy over the future use of the No. 5 jersey previously worn by former quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Joe Burrow told reporters after the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason game that LSU officials informed him the school “wouldn’t use” the No. 9 jersey again, but added that “you never know what happens” as time passes. The comment comes amid a dispute over the No. 5 jersey, which was worn by former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels during the 2022-23 seasons and is now being used by sophomore DJ Pickett after he switched from No. 3.
Pickett’s father told The Advocate that his son intends to keep the No. 5 despite the controversy. On Thursday, a representative for Daniels sent a cease-and-desist letter to LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry, asserting that the university can no longer use Daniels’ name, image and likeness. Daniels posted on social media that “issues to be worked out” remain between his camp and LSU, expressing a hope for a private resolution.
LSU’s jersey-retirement bylaws, in effect since January 1, 2007, state that a retired number is not automatically removed from circulation for current athletes; the head coach may decide its use. The bylaws apply only to five numbers retired before 2007—Pete Maravich’s 23, Bob Pettit’s 50, Shaquille O’Neal’s 33, Billy Cannon’s 20 and Skip Bertman’s 15. Burrow’s No. 9 was taken out of use after his Heisman-winning 2019 season, during which LSU posted a 15-0 record and set an FBS single-season scoring record.