Has the number zero ever been so celebrated as it has in 2020?
As in “zero positive COVID-19 tests.” As in “zero incidents of looting or violence during the demonstration.” As in “zero sightings of the murder hornet.”
It’s the same in college football, as the NCAA is allowing players to wear a “0” jersey for the first time. Eight of the 14 Southeastern Conference programs will have players wearing the unique single digit, with the list including Auburn sophomore linebacker Owen Pappoe, Georgia freshman tight end Darnell Washington and Tennessee junior cornerback Bryce Thompson.
Pappoe started every game last season for Gus Malzahn’s Tigers and earned Freshman All-America recognition.
“I tried to get it in high school, but it was an ineligible number,” Pappoe said on a recent Zoom call. “When I heard the NCAA was going to pass it, I said, ‘Coach, I want to be one of the first guys to get this,’ so he got that done for me.