When the Carolina Panthers acquired Baker Mayfield in a trade with the Cleveland Browns, it was quickly apparent that the quarterback’s options for jersey numbers were limited. Out of the Panthers’ QB-eligible numbers, only No. 1 (Cam Newton’s old number) and No. 13 were available. Mayfield’s preferred No. 6 was claimed by punter Johnny Hekker.
Well, the good news for Hekker was that Mayfield seemed to be a highly motivated buyer when it came to that number.
During his Tuesday media availability, Mayfield confirmed that we would wear No. 6 with the Panthers after striking a deal with Hekker to purchase the number. Hekker had initially purchased the number from backup quarterback P.J. Walker, so it’s safe to assume that the punter flipped the digit for a nice profit.
Hekker’s tweet would definitely suggest as much.
— Johnny Hekker (@JHekker) July 12, 2022
Good for Johnny — taking advantage of the market there.
Mayfield explained that the jersey number was important to him given his rise from walk-on to Heisman Trophy winner to No. 1 overall pick.
Baker Mayfield says he’s made a deal with punter Johnny Hekker to get the No. 6 jersey from him.
“Six is a special number to me. It was the number I was given as a walk-on. It symbolizes my story.”
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 12, 2022
I’m sure negotiations for that jersey number were fierce, and fans understandably loved Hekker’s reaction to the pay day.
