Ty Montgomery Clearly Has Something on Roger Goodell After Likely Getting Away With Illegal Number Again

Ty Montgomery is an average backup running back by every statistical measure, but fans can instantly pick him out of a crowd due to him being the only players in the backfield in football with a number in the 80s. 

Montgomery continued to get away with his unusual uniform quirk when he left the New York Jets for the New Orleans Saints, as No. 88 will ride again in the Superdome.

Montgomery is allowed to keep his old number because players who change positions are eligible to keep their old number. A recent example is former Chicago Bears receiver/returner Devin Hester sticking with No. 23 after converting from cornerback to wide receiver.

Montgomery wears No. 88 because he came into the league as a wide receiver out of Stanford with the Green Bay Packers. However, given how Montgomery’s traits are better suited for the backfield and the fact the Packers were beset by injuries at that position in 2016, Mike McCarthy converted him into a running back. Still, how is this allowed? He's very much not been a wide receiver for four years now. Does the guy have dirt on commissioner Roger Goodell? The NFL makes sure to strike down every wardrobe issue known to man, but they'll still let a running back don an incorrect number.

After a famous botched kick return, Montgomery left for the Ravens and later signed with the Jets. He only had 193 yards from scrimmage after only making it onto the field for 15% of the Jets’ offensive snaps in 2019.

It won’t ever look natural seeing a player in the I-Formation with No. 88 on, but Montgomery’s desire to keep it makes him one of the more recognizable backup running backs in the league. At least that makes him stand out in some way.