Numbers are used throughout almost every sport around the world, with these numbers being a traditional way for spectators to identify players. However, some of these numbers have become iconic throughout their own sports for a number of reasons. With most of these numbers being iconic due to the player who wore them, some are known throughout all sports as some of the most commonly used and appreciated numbers throughout sport.
With a wide range of different numbers being incredibly famous, the expert team behind different sportsbook promos at ProfitDuel has looked at the most iconic numbers, why they are so popular, and what makes them stand out in their own respective sports!
#10 – Soccer
Synonymous with the creative attacker, the number 10 is arguably one of the most popular numbers throughout the entire sport of soccer, alongside number 7 and number 9. The reason for the iconic nature of the number 10 is due to the list of players who have played with the number 10 throughout their careers, with players from both past and present using this number. The number is typically reserved for one of the best players on the team.
Some of the greatest players to ever wear the number 10 were players such as Pele and Maradona, who are both legends of the game. Almost every generation had a fantastic football player with the number 10 being worn, from Zidane and Del Piero to Lionel Messi!
Soccer is known to provide some of the most iconic numbers in sport, including number 9, with
Players like Ronaldo Nazario and Alan Shearer to number 7 with players like Cristiano Ronaldo and George Best.
#23 – Basketball
Unlike soccer, which has an iconic number due to the number of brilliant players that wore the number, basketball is all down to one player, Michael Jordan. 23 is arguably the most iconic number in basketball history due to Jordan’s legacy with the Chicago Bulls as he was able to win six NBA titles, five MVPs and revolutionize the game.
With the number 23 being his jersey number whilst at Chicago Bulls from 1984, the number became synonymous with his legacy as he is known as one of the greatest basketball players to ever grace the sport.
There are plenty of popular numbers throughout basketball that are known for different great players, such as 24 for Kobe Bryant, 32 for Magic Johnson, and 33 for Scottie Pippen.
#99 – Ice Hockey
Being one of the only numbers in a sport that were retired, 99 was retired by the NHL league-wide in honor of the greatest player of all time, Wayne Gretzky. Known as ‘The Great One,’ Wayne Gretzky is immortalized, and his number is untouched throughout the entire sport of ice hockey due to his abilities as a player.
Wayne Gretzky is known for a career that is full of impressive records, with many of these records considered to be untouchable. With the most career points at 2,857, the most career goals at 894, and the most assists at 1,963, Wayne Gretzky was a force to be reckoned with. In the 1981-82 season, he infamously scored 50 goals in just 39 games, which is one of the most remarkable feats in hockey history!
The number 99 will always be remembered throughout Ice Hockey as one of the most iconic numbers throughout the game, with no other numbers in the sport coming close to the impact of 99.
#12 – American Football
The number 12 is one of the most iconic throughout American football due to the iconic modern player of Tom Brady, who wore number 12 whilst at New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With seven Super Bowl titles, five Super Bowl MVPs, and countless records, Brady has cemented number 12 as one of the most influential numbers in the entire sport.
With the number 12 being that iconic with Tom Brady, the New England Patriots retired #12 in his honor, meaning no other players throughout the New England Patriots team can use the number.
There are some other top-quality players who have worn the number 12 for their teams as quarterbacks, such as Aaron Rodgers, who is another fantastic player. Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach, and Ken Stabler all have worn the number 12 as well, making it even more iconic!
Conclusion
With plenty of other sports in the world, there are plenty of other numbers that are famous in their respective games. For example, in Formula 1, the number 1 is reserved only for the current holder of the Drivers Championship and has become famous through Michael Schumacher and Max Verstappen. However, some drivers opt not to use it, like Lewis Hamilton, who remained using the number 44. Numbers not only represent the character and person wearing them, but they represent moments, legacies, and movements throughout their respective sports!
