Packers Wide Receiver, Christian Watson, Changes Number Immediately

The Green Bay Packers traded up in the second round to select wide receiver Christian Watson. When the pick was made, the team immediately announced he would wear number 82.

🚨 New #Packers T/G will wear Bryan Bulaga Iowa's old number #75. Christian Watson…landed #82 somehow.

Maybe 2nd rounders don't get to pick their own number? Maybe there's a story behind him requesting it? 🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/Q97W0tnAwU

— J.J. Lahey 🧀 Packers Talk (@JJLahey) April 30, 2022

As seen in the Tweet above, there was some confusion as to why Watson would take number 82. There have been some good players to wear the number, including Paul Coffman, Desmond Howard, Don Beebe, and Linel Aldridge. However, more players that have been below average wore that number. This list includes Brian Manning, Charles Lee, Darrius Shepherd, and Taco Wallace. David Moore, who signed with the Chicago Bears this offseason, wore 82 for the Packers last season.

Social Media Reacts to Christian Watson Wearing 82

The Tweet above was not the only one questioning the choice of number. There were plenty of confused fans who expressed their wonderment on social media.

I'm not cool with Christian Watson wearing 82. Awful number. Should of told Blair he ain't wearing 19 anymore. Lol. #Packers

— JD (@IgnitorKid) April 30, 2022

Christian Watson will wear No. 82 for the @Packers. The same number as notable players like Don Beebe, Ruvell Martin, Taco Wallace and Richard Rodgers.

— Saltiren🧀 (@Saltiren) April 30, 2022

why is Christian Watson wearing 82 if he picked 1-19 i buy his jersey instantly

— FT (@cnnr_sllvn) April 30, 2022

Christian Watson Changed His Number Less than 24 Hours Later

It did not take long for Christian Watson to change his number. Whether or not it was from the social media onslaught, Watson changed his number from 82 to 9.

🚨 Jersey # update 🚨 @ChristianW2017 will wear 9️⃣ for the #Packers #PackersDraft | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/okRzNdNLFg

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 30, 2022

While the number 9 appeased social media, it is interesting that Packers players who have worn it have not been any more successful than players to wear 82. In fact, they have been less successful. The best player in terms of effectiveness who wore number 9 for the Packers was Josh Bidwell, a punter. Other players to have worn the number include Jim McMahon, DeShone Kizer, Seneca Wallace, and Danny Etling, who have up the number Watson.

Social Media Reacts to the Number Change

As insinuated above, social media reacted quite favorably to the number change. Some said it changed the course of Watson’s career.

Christian Watson changing his jersey # from 82 to 9 in the matter of 1 day is what we call generational stuff. He’s gonna be great

— Black Sinatra Targaryen Zoldyck (@Todd_Gully) April 30, 2022

Christian Watson: 9
Really dodged a bullet, was almost assigned 82 (terrible number). 5 stars, clean number

— Dave from Lab (@Cowboy_Hubris) May 1, 2022

Christian Watson changed his number from 82 to 9? That’s a career changing move cause if he wears 82 he’s going to be a bust

— BACK TO BACK CHAMPS (@Osa_1304) April 30, 2022

Regardless of the jersey number, one thing is certain: the Packers and their fans are excited to see what Christian Watson will do in Green Bay.

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