Deebo Samuel, the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver, is making a significant change for the next NFL season by switching his jersey number from 19 to 1. He announced this change on Instagram in March, also revealing that his jersey will now read “Samuel Sr.” in honor of his son, Tyshun Samuel Jr.
Samuel addressed the media for the first time since the announcement, explaining the reasoning behind the switch and the effort it took to make it happen. “It was good,” Samuel said. “That was the only number I ever wore in my life, so I always wanted to go back.”
The number 1 has sentimental value for Samuel, who wore it during his time at the University of South Carolina, Chapman High School, and the 2019 Senior Bowl. Although it took five seasons to reclaim the number, Samuel recounted a previous attempt to secure it from former teammate Jimmie Ward in 2021. Despite offering Ward money to relinquish the number, Samuel was unsuccessful. Ward, who eventually sold the number to Houston Texans’ wide receiver Stefon Diggs for $100,000, retained it for his tenure with the 49ers.
The 49ers did not have a player wearing number 1 during the 2023 season. Now, Samuel will don the number, carrying not just his legacy but also that of his son. “It was cool to get the number back and, you know, get the Samuel Sr. on the back of my jersey,” Samuel remarked. “Kind of representing me and my son.”
Samuel’s decision to switch back to number 1 highlights his connection to his past and his pride in his family. As he steps onto the field next season, he will be representing both his personal history and his role as a father.
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