ORLANDO, Fla. -- Steelers cornerback Joe Haden had to settle for a different number when he was signed by the team following his release by Cleveland prior to the start of last season.
But that doesn't mean he is sticking with the No. 21 jersey he bought from Robert Golden after Mike Mitchell, who wore No. 23 for the Steelers, refused to give the number up.
Haden, who wore No. 23 for the Browns before coming over to the Steelers, announced on Twitter Monday he now will be wearing his regular number in 2018:
Switched back like MJ with the 45 pic.twitter.com/fWtqDFm3jI
— Joe Haden (@joehaden23) March 26, 2018
It likely didn't come cheap. Per NFL rules, players who switch numbers have to pay the league's marketing arm to purchase all of the jerseys made with their former number. So to get his No. 23 back, Haden would have had to cut a big check to buy back all of the No. 21 jerseys with his name on the back.
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