A lot has changed for Tom Brady this season, but he still will be No. 12.
Brady will wear No. 12 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and wide receiver Chris Godwin will switch to No. 14, the team announced on its website Tuesday.
A bit surprisingly, Godwin told the website that no transaction was involved for the jersey number, which is often the case when big-name athletes in every sport join a new team and want to keep their previous number.
Godwin suggested recently that he was prepared to give up his No. 12 to the six-time Super Bowl champion quarterback.
“Obviously if he doesn’t want it, or if he’s not making a big deal out of it, I’m definitely going to keep it. We’ll see how that goes,” Godwin said earlier this month. “I think just out of respect for what he’s done, what he’s accomplished, just kind of the career he’s built for himself, you have to lean into that respect.”
Godwin, who made his first Pro Bowl last season, likely will be one of Brady’s top targets. Godwin, drafted out of Penn State in the third round from 2017, hauled in 86 passes for 1,333 receiving yards last season.
He posted on Instagram an altered image of him wearing a No. 14 jersey with Brady wearing No. 12.
Brady, who wore No. 12 in his 20 seasons with the Patriots, later responded, writing: “Much Appreciated — Very Grateful — Humbled And ready to get to work !!!,” according to ESPN.
Brady signed a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 20 worth $50 million guaranteed, with up to $9 million more in performance and team success incentives and a no-trade clause.
