5 new NFL officials have several jersey numbers to choose from

When the NFL assigns you a number, that number becomes you. – Jerry Markbreit

Next month, we will know the 2025 NFL crew assignments, any position changes and the numbers that the five new hires will wear. The following numbers are available for the officials.

NFL officials are assigned numbers 1-135. Officials will most likely keep these numbers their entire career and it is very important to them. Retired referee Jerry Markbreit once told Football Zebras, “When the NFL assigns you a number, that number becomes you. For 23 years I was 9. I’m still called ‘Nine’ today long after I’ve retired.”

If a new official wants a number, and it is available, they can ask the NFL for that number. Also, if an official retires making his number available, a veteran official can ask the NFL to change numbers. Tony Veteri Jr., switched from 52 to his dad’s 36. Walt Coleman IV, switched from 87 to his dad’s 65. Jerome Boger went from 109 to 23 to honor his mentor Johnny Grier. And Tra Boger went from 2 to 23 – when his dad retired.

Some numbers have grown into disuse

When Jerry Seeman retired, his number 70 was given to umpire Scott Dawson. When Dawson retired, the NFL retired number 70 in Seeman’s honor.

The NFL has never issued number 69 for reasons I don’t want to contemplate.

Some officials have been dismissed and new officials may want to shy away from that number.

Some numbers haven’t been reissued for some unknown reason. 135 hasn’t been worn in the six years since Pete Morelli retired. 108 has been vacant since Gary Arthur retired four years ago. Number 71 hasn’t been worn since Ruben Fowler retired in 2020. The NFL sometimes issues a famous number immediately after a well-known and honored official retires. Others, like the ones mentioned sit unassigned for years. Why? We don’t know. Maybe some long-vacant numbers will get a new owner this year.

So, what’s in a number?

When a NFL official is hired and they get their number, it is a moment of intense emotion. It is a moment where they recognize their officiating goal. They want to honor the officials who wore the number before them and they hope future officials will want to take their number. It hits home that they are part of an elite unit of men and women charged with officiating the richest, most complex and most popular spectator sport in North America, if not the world.

They don’t wear their name on their jersey, but they proudly wear their number. With that number they hope to make a positive impact on the NFL for their career.