FOOTBALL: IDENTIFYING THE PLAYERS

One way for a rookie fan to identify a player is by looking at his jersey number. According to NFL (National Football League) guidelines, the number generally corresponds to his position on the field.

Quarterbacks, for example, have to wear uniform numbers between 1 and 19. So do punters and placekickers. Tight ends and wide receivers wear numbers between 80 and 89, as a rule. Defensive backs and running backs wear numbers between 20 and 49, while centers carry numbers between 50 and 59, unless those numbers are unavailable. Offensive guards, tackles and defensive linemen wear numbers between 60 and 79, provided those numbers are not out of circulation.

Players’ body type can also give clues as to what position they’re playing. Defensive linemen, for instance, and offensive guards and tackles are often massive and have enormous upper-body strength. By contrast, wide receivers tend to be tall and lean, whereas placekickers are short, by comparison. Centers are not unlike defensive linemen and they often have noticeably bulky necks.

The above are guidelines only. But the more you watch the game, either on television or from a stadium the more familiar you’ll become with who’s playing what position. And in time, you’ll have progressed from being a novice to a knowledgeable veteran football fan.

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