Why new Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty 'wasn't willing' to give up No. 2 jersey
Why new Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty 'wasn't willing' to give up No. 2 jersey
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Ashton Jeanty paid six figures to fellow Raider for number 2
USAT's Tyler Dragon asks about the amount of money new Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty paid for his number 2.
Sports Seriously
The number two is extremely important to Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty.
'It just means a lot to me and my family. A lot of my family who played sports wore No. 2,' Jeanty told USA TODAY Sports, during a promotional appearance with Sharpie. 'Then I was born on December 2. The legacy, the greatness, and I was born that day. There's just a lot of meaning behind it. And for the brand, I wasn't willing to give it up.'
Jeanty wore No. 2 at Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas, and at Boise State, where he became the school's all-time leading rusher, achieved the second-highest single-season rushing total in FBS history and was a Heisman Trophy finalist.
When the Raiders selected Jeanty in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, he wanted to wear No. 2 at all costs.
Literally.
Jeanty negotiated with Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson for the number. Carlson had worn No. 2 for the past five seasons. The kicker sported No. 8 when he first joined the Raiders in 2018 but changed to No. 2 to accommodate Marcus Mariota when the QB arrived.
Fast forward to now, Carlson is going back to No. 8 because Jeanty paid a hefty price for the number.
Jeanty told Kay Adams this week on "Up and Adams" that he paid six figures for the number. The running back confirmed the price tag to USA TODAY Sports.
'It's true,' Jeanty said.
Jeanty wouldn't specify the exact amount he paid for his beloved number, but the running back did say Carlson could purchase a luxury car.
'He could buy a nice Mercedes,' a smiling Jeanty said.
The Raiders officially signed Jeanty to his rookie contract on May 8. His contract is worth a total value of $35.9 million, so it's safe to say he could afford the six-figure amount he paid Carlson.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
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