Maybe it's just me...
 

but the more I think about it I think its petty for Reggie to be worrying about his number. Look at A.J. Hawk. He was #47 at OSU. Havent heard one complaint about him griping about that number where as Reggie and his number is a story.

In the end, its just a number. Is the 5 going to make him play better? If it is, is he really as good as we think he is?

I can see that, but I also can understand the marketing/supersticious aspect. Kid has played with the number for a while and wants to keep it. Besides, his marketing team sees value in keeping it as it keeps his USC stuff fresh rather than separating it by giving him a new number in the pros that has limited connection to the Reggie that broke ankles and wowed us all in college.

It kind of does smack of selfishness to think you deserve the special treatment over others that have tried the same thing (I guess we all know the Edge James #5 thing by now), but in our case his keeping #5 can benefit by giving the Saints that connection to the past Bush through marketing and advertisement.

He already has a couple of TV ads out there with him wearing a #5 jersey, so it's not as petty as you think. There's some serious cash involved in the whole number thing.

besides reggie said if the nfl would not let him wear the number # 5 it would not be a big deal. he understands that the rule was in place long before he got to the nfl. but if possible he would like to keep the number that does not sound petty to me. you never know unless you try

Also, Reggie has worn this number his whole career. Does anyone know what Hawk wore in high school? Was it 47? I don't think it's similar at all either way. Besdies the fact, if the NFL does change the rule, I GUARANTEE Reggie will not be the only pplayer to take advantage of it. So it won't be just for him. It's a rule whose time has come, Reggie's agent and PR people just made more noise about than simply putting in a petition.

A lot of guys that play ball have their particular number they like. Growing up, whether it was football, baseball, or basketball, I ALWAYS tried to get 21. I have friends who were similar in that they always wanted a particular number.

I would think that's all it is. He just wants his number.

Oh. I hadnt heard this. All I heard is him pouting about the rule.

If he in fact said it would be no big deal then thats great. I had hoped he would eventually say that, I just hadnt heard it.

I understand all the points made about marketing and everything. They are all valid and he is as high a profile player to come out of college in years. As a Saints fan, I appreciate the good him having the 5 can bring to the franchise. But he's still only one guy.

whodi, you made a point about the rule's time has come. I disagree. If Reggie's people hadnt made a fuss about it, the rule wouldnt even be an issue.

I guess Im in the minority in the fact that I like the rule. But I've stated in previous threads, rather he gets the 5 or not, I have pre-ordered his jersey and it will be fine by me.

Actually, the rule has ALWAYS been an issue, cause you have had players like Edge James who have repeatedly petitioned the league for the change. And who knows how many others. But Reggie's PR people, knowing he is a rookie, and probably the most high profile rookie in a LOOOOONNNNGGGG time, pushed it not only to the league, but with the Saints help, in the forum of public opinion as well. That's the only difference. For some players, it has always been an issue. It's a nothing rule, hurts noone. And Reggie did say he would accept the ruling either way, AND that he would still donate 25% of his jerseys sales to Katrina relief no matter what number he wore. I was surprised too. This dude, at least for now, looks like a God-send. And like someone said, it's more of a preference than him being an a-hole about it. It's no big deal at all.

^
Yeah. I kinda started this thread to see if someone had heard that he did in fact say he didnt mind what the NFL decision was. It seemed out of character for him to make a big stink about anything, especially something so petty as a number. Apparently he has and thats great. Im sure he has the best people in his corner giving him great advice and thats why he's coming off, as you put it, like a God-send. His true character is proving to be an asset to the organization and the community and I just hope this jersey issue becomes a non-issue. All signs are pointing to that.

I'm with you guys...I don't care what number he wears just as long it and the ball find their way past the first down marker and into the end zone. I also care more about him not getting punked by linebackers in our division like RW did when Ken Norton showed up. Do you guys remembeer how Ken Norton just took RW's heart in that first game in San Fran? I want RB to show up in Tampa, Carolina, and Atlanta and just strike fear in the opposition's heart rather than have it the other way around. I want to see him and whatever number he wears take a 4-yard pass and go 90 yards for the TD...that will take care of any marketing losses that happen if he can't wear #5. I want to see him strike the Heisman pose in the endzone the first time he scores against Atlanta. I want to see him laugh at Julius Peppers as he chases but just can't get there because he's not fast enough. I want to see John Abraham stop trying about 20 yards before the endzone because he knows he can't catch him either. I want to see opposing teams kick the ball away from the Beerman and scream in agony because they forgot the other guy is RB. I want to see race down the sideline on the Saints' side of the field as the entire team jumps to the sight of his blazing speed. The number he's wearing is not nearly as important to me as the results he delivers...but I would really like to see him doing it in the #5 because I think it will be cool to hear, "The number one selling NFL jersey is the #5, that of RB and the New Orleans Saints!!!"

If he wears number 44 , you're gonna hear "The number one selling jersey is the #44, that of Reggie Bush and the New Orleans Saints." Hell, Bush could go numberless and his jersey is still gonna be #1 seller.

#1 jersey seller is always a rookie or a player who has just changed teams from the previous season. Reggie is definently gonna be #1 which is frickin sweety for the Saints.

Doesn't really matter to me which number they make him pick, i'm getting a 5.