Is 00 allowed in football?

Is 00 Allowed in Football? Here’s the Story

While you won’t see 00 on the field in the NFL today, there was a time when it made an appearance. Believe it or not, only three players in NFL history have ever worn the iconic double zero. The number became a rarity early on, as the league eventually phased out both 0 and 00 in favor of more standardized numbering rules.

However, things started to change in 2023. The NFL updated its jersey number policy, officially bringing back 0—but not 00—as an allowable number for most positions. Now, quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, and even defensive backs can wear the single zero, provided they’re not on the offensive or defensive line. Linemen are still restricted from wearing single digits or zeroes, sticking to traditional numbering guidelines.

Despite the return of 0, the league has yet to reinstate 00, leaving that nostalgic number in the history books for now. Players like former Buffalo Bills safety Sam Adams—one of the few to wear 00—remain part of a tiny, unique club. While today’s stars can rock a 0, the legendary 00 remains a relic of a quirkier era in football fashion.

So, is 00 allowed? Not anymore—but its legacy lives on. And with the NFL becoming more open to creative expression, who’s to say it won’t make a comeback someday?