The Top Players in History to Wear the NFL Jersey 0 and 00

Ready to uncover the NFL’s most unique jersey number? For decades, the numbers “0” and “00” were a rare sight, primarily seen in the early days of professional football before strict numbering rules were established. However, in recent years, the league has revived the NFL Jersey 0 and the 00 Jersey number, allowing a new generation of star players to claim it as their own.

The NFL, after a long hiatus, allowed players to start wearing zeroes again in 2023.

From trailblazers in the game’s first era to modern-day defensive and offensive threats, the players who chose this jersey are as unique as the number itself. They represent a blend of history and a new era of player identity. Join us as we explore the careers of the greatest NFL legends who defied convention and made the NFL Jersey 0 and 00 an iconic symbol of skill, audacity, and on-field dominance.

Jim Otto

Jim Otto was a legendary center who played college football at the University of Miami before spending his entire 15-season professional career with the Oakland Raiders from 1960 to 1974. Wearing his iconic “00” jersey, he became the only all-league center in the history of the American Football League and anchored an offensive line that won the 1967 AFL Championship. Renowned for his remarkable durability, Otto started an incredible 210 consecutive regular-season games and earned 12 combined AFL All-Star and NFL Pro Bowl selections. His dominance and reliability on the gridiron culminated in his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980 during his first year of eligibility.

Jim Otto: The Iron Man of the Raiders

Famed for wearing his NFL Jersey 00, is a name that resonates with fans.

Ken Burrough

Ken Burrough was an All-American wide receiver at Texas Southern University before being selected in the first round of the 1970 NFL Draft. He began his professional career playing for the New Orleans Saints during the 1970 season, and then spent the remainder of his twelve-year career with the Houston Oilers from 1971 to 1981. Among his significant career milestones, Burrough earned two Pro Bowl selections (1975 and 1977), led the NFL in receiving yards with 1,063 in 1975, and remains famous for being the last NFL player to wear the jersey number “00” in a regular-season game.

Ken Burrough: The Last of the Double Zeros

DeMarcus Lawrence

DeMarcus Lawrence is an accomplished professional football defensive end and linebacker who played college football at Butler Community College and Boise State. He spent the first 11 seasons of his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys from 2014 to 2024 before joining the Seattle Seahawks for the 2025 season. Throughout his standout career, Lawrence has achieved numerous milestones, including five Pro Bowl selections, a Second-team All-Pro honor in 2017, and a victory in Super Bowl LX with the Seahawks.

Roquan Smith

Chicago Bears (2018–2022), Baltimore Ravens (2022–present) – 5-time All-Pro, 4-time Pro Bowl – Wore number 0 starting in the 2023 season

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Jahmyr Gibbs

Running back – Detroit Lions (2023–present) – 0-time All-Pro, 3-time Pro Bowl – Wore number 0 starting in the 2023 season

Hap Moran

Halfback / Tailback – Frankford Yellow Jackets (1926–1927), Chicago Cardinals (1927), Pottsville Maroons (1928), New York Giants (1928–1933) – 1-time All-Pro (1931), 0-time Pro Bowl – Wore number 0 in the 1928 season

Hap Moran: An Icon of the Gridiron

Jonathon Cooper

Linebacker – Denver Broncos (2021–present) – 0 All-Pro/Pro Bowl selections – Wore No. 0 starting in the 2023 season.

Calvin Ridley

Wide Receiver – Atlanta Falcons (2018–2021), Jacksonville Jaguars (2023), Tennessee Titans (2024–present) – 1 All-Pro selection – Wore No. 0 starting in the 2023 season.

Brian Burns

Linebacker – Carolina Panthers (2019–2023), New York Giants (2024–present) – 3 Pro Bowl selections, 1 All-Pro selection – Wore No. 0 starting in the 2023 season.

Byron Young

Linebacker – Los Angeles Rams (2023–present) – 1 Pro Bowl selection – Wore No. 0 starting in the 2023 season.

YaYa Diaby

Linebacker – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2023–present) – 0 All-Pro/Pro Bowl selections – Wore No. 0 starting in the 2023 season.

Christian Gonzalez

Cornerback – New England Patriots (2023–present) – 0 All-Pro/Pro Bowl selections – Wore No. 0 starting in the 2024 season.

Mike Sainristil

Cornerback – Washington Commanders (2024–present) – 0 All-Pro/Pro Bowl selections – Wore No. 0 starting in the 2024 season.

Gabe Davis

Wide Receiver – Buffalo Bills (2020–2023, 2025), Jacksonville Jaguars (2024) – 0 All-Pro/Pro Bowl selections – Wore No. 0 during the 2024 season.

Johnny Olszewski

Fullback – Chicago Cardinals (1953–1957), Washington Redskins (1958–1960), Detroit Lions (1961), Denver Broncos (1962) – 2 Pro Bowl selections – Wore No. 0 from 1958 to 1960.

Conclusion

So, whether you call it a digit, a double-digit, or just a circle, the NFL jersey 0 has an incredibly rare and compelling story that makes it stand out. From the foundational days of the league with greats like Hall of Famer Wilbur “Pete” Henry wearing 0, to the iconic 00 worn by legendary Raiders center Jim Otto, this number has always represented the elite.

With the return of the 0 in 2023, a new generation of stars like Roquan Smith and Calvin Ridley are carrying on the tradition of turning “nothing” into something spectacular. It’s a number reserved for those who are truly one-of-a-kind, and the NFL Jersey 0 continues to be a badge of honor. Which best players in history who wore 0 or 00 will the current crop join in the record books? Only time will tell!

Big Thanks to the above-noted sources and to Pro-Football-Reference.com and Newspapers.com for helping fill in the blanks. Our goal is to keep making this page better, so if you feel we are missing someone you feel should be added, please let us know at Pi*************@***il.com.

If you liked this section, you might want to go on to our post on the Best NFL Players who wore the Number 1 jersey.