In team sports, the number, often referred to as the uniform number, squad number, jersey number, shirt number, sweater number, or similar is the number worn on a player's uniform, to identify and distinguish each player from others wearing the same or similar uniforms.
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The number is typically displayed on the rear of the jersey, often accompanied by the surname.
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The first team to retire a Jersey number was the New York Yankees, which retired Lou Gehrig's No 4 in 1939.
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The Jersey number represents how many players have made their Test debuts including the one wearing it.
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Jersey number made his debut in the very first Test Match, against Australia, on 15 March 1877, and was first in alphabetical order on England's team.
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Usually one of the players is a reserve who rarely plays but there are exceptions: In the 2009 and 2010 seasons, that same Jersey number was worn by South Carolina starting quarterback Stephen Garcia and starting cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
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The player change, since both players wore the same Jersey number, caused some confusion among opposing defenses, but was legal, since both players were not on the field at the same time.
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Over time, the Jersey number 1 became rare among NHL goaltenders, with only four permanent goalies using it as of December 2021.
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Usually, but not always, the rider who wears a Jersey number ending in 1 is the squad's leader and the one who will try for a high overall placing.
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In some cases, a Jersey number can be retired to honor someone other than a player, such as a manager, owner, or a fan.
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