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Our portal delves into the significance of football jersey numbers, particularly the range of 90 to 99. This range serves several roles, primarily catering to the demand of players. However, it also holds a special place for defensive players and kickers, making it a prioritizing range.

Retired numbers 90 in NFL

Dennis Byrd had a short but inspirational career with the New York Jets. Unfortunately, the hard injury removed him from active sport forever. The incident happened in the 1992 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Byrd wanted to avoid the tackle and collided with the teammate Scott Mersereau. The broken vertebrae left him without legs. The extensive therapy put him on walk again, but the football was closed for him. He visited the native stadium’s field as honorary captain for the team’s opener on September 5, 1993. The Jets retired his number and launched the Most Inspirational Player Award or the Denis Byrd Award. Denis is the inaugurational owner of the trophy.

The first player who wore number 90 in NFL

Sandy Sandberg wore number 90 in the St. Louis Gunners during the 1934 season. The tackle played three games on the roster before changing the team to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The last player who wore number 90 last before AV implementation

The halfback Rex Bumgardner wore it for two seasons in the Cleveland Browns from 1950 to 1951.  He scored 3 rushing and 2 receiving touchdowns, including 1 receiving TD in 1950 playoff when the Browns became the champions. The next choice of this number happened only in 1966, one of the most extended breaks in NFL history.

Top 5 players with the highest AV

Julius Peppers – 159 AV

The player opened the list of the Panthers’ choices in the 2002 Draft. Julius Peppers signed the contract after the debut round. He changed the positions between defensive end and linebacker throughout his career. The defensive end dominated Carolina and the Chicago Bears, where he played from 2010 to 2013. Our team excluded Green Bay Packers tenure from the description as the performer wore number 56 there. His experience includes 4 touchdowns, 9 Pro Bowls, 3 AP1 appearances, membership in the best teams of the 2000s and 2010s, and a Hall of Fame plaque as a Class 24 member.

Neil Smith – 120 AV

The defensive end Neil Smith was the first-round choice of the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1988 Draft. He spent there 9 years. He was the best sacker in 1993, completing 15 solo sacks. In 1994, he forced 5 fumbles, which was enough for the league leadership in this context. He scored only one interception touchdown in the 1992 season, plus a fumble in 1989. The third TD occurred in the 1997 season when the player joined the Denver Broncos. That tenure ended with 2 Super Bowls. He retired in 2000 after the season with the Chargers. The player competed in 6 Pro Bowls and was part of the 1993 All-Pro first team.

Rob Burnett – 102 AV

The player wore number 90 on all of his teams from the first game for the Cleveland Browns in 1990 until his retirement from the Miami Dolphins in 2003. This defensive end was good at tackling, with 76 tackles in the 1993 season, his career peak. The performer participated in a single Pro Bowl after the 1994 season. The player also won the Super Bowl in 2000 with the Raiders.

T.J. Watt – 91 AV

This player has continued his bright performance with the Steelers since the 2017 season. He won three competitions for sacks in the 2020s. His 8 forced fumbles were tops in the 2019 season. As of the 2023 season, T.J. Watt/strong> collected 6 Pro Bowls and 4 AP1 appearances. Watt was the best defensive player, thanks to his 22.5 sacks in the 2021 season.

Jason Pierre-Paul -= 88 AV

This player competed in football since 2010. His first team was the New York Giants, where he played till 2017. He received enough games not only in the NYG but in Tampa, too, where he played as the linebacker. He won the Super Bowls in 2011 and 2020. He played in 4 Pro Bowls.