Za’Darius Smith secures his preferred number with a hefty payment to Brodric Martin after his trade to the Detroit Lions.

In the NFL, securing a preferred jersey number isn’t always as simple as choosing your favorite digit—it sometimes comes with a price. Defensive end Za’Darius Smith learned this firsthand after his trade from the Cleveland Browns to the Detroit Lions. One of his top priorities upon arrival was making sure he could wear No. 99, the same number he donned in Cleveland. However, this task would cost him thousands of dollars.

The Number Was Available—But Not Without a Catch

No. 99 was technically available in Detroit, but only because defensive tackle Brodric Martin, who had been listed as wearing the number, hasn’t played this season. According to NFL rules, a player’s number cannot be changed mid-season if they’ve already suited up in it. Had Martin been active, Smith would not have had the opportunity to claim the number.

Upon hearing that the number was free, Smith set out to secure it. He was initially offered numbers in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, but, as Smith said, he wasn’t willing to settle. “I was like, who has No. 99? They told me who he was and we looked his number up and called him real quick,” Smith shared. After reaching out to Martin, who hails from Tuscaloosa, Smith thanked him for being accommodating, but not before paying up.

The Cost of a Jersey Number

Though Smith was tight-lipped about the exact amount, he did offer a hint at the cost. “The going rate? There’s three zeros on the end of it,” Smith revealed, suggesting the price fell somewhere between $1,000 and $9,000. While the exact sum remains undisclosed, it’s clear that Martin was well-compensated for giving up the coveted number.

For Smith, the price was worth it. Not only does he now have the jersey number he’s most familiar with, but he also ensures continuity with his career in Detroit. “I got No. 99 now,” he said, satisfied with his transaction.

A Good Investment for Smith

In the world of professional sports, jersey numbers often carry significance beyond just a digit. For Smith, No. 99 represents his identity on the field, and securing it in Detroit allows him to feel more at home in his new team. While the payment might seem extravagant, it’s a relatively small price to pay for maintaining consistency and personal preference.

In the grand scheme of things, the cost of a jersey number is a minor detail in the high-stakes world of the NFL. However, for Za’Darius Smith, it was an investment he was more than willing to make to maintain his identity on the field.