Bears rookie C Logan Jones explains decision to wear No. 54

TL;DR

Bears rookie center Logan Jones will wear No. 54, a number last worn by Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher. This marks the first time since Urlacher's retirement in 2012 that the number will be used by a player on the team.

Key points

Logan Jones is a rookie center for the Chicago Bears.
He will wear the No. 54 jersey, previously worn by Brian Urlacher.
No. 54 has not been used since Urlacher's retirement in 2012.
The NFL prohibits the Bears from retiring more numbers.
Jones aims to honor Urlacher's legacy with this decision.

Mentioned in this story

Logan JonesBrian Urlacher

Chicago Bears

Bears rookie C Logan Jones explains decision to wear No. 54

When fans think of the Chicago Bears and the No. 54 jersey, only one player comes to mind: Brian Urlacher. Now for the first time in nearly 15 years, they will think of another player, but he's looking at building off the Hall-of-Famer's legacy.

Rookie center Logan Jones made waves on Friday when it was announced he would be wearing No. 54 as a member of the Bears. That number has not been in the team rotation since Urlacher retired following the 2012 season. Even during training camp and the preseason.

Over 500 different players have come and gone since Urlacher last played on the Bears with none of them donning the Hall of Famer's number. The NFL won't allow the Bears to retire any more numbers, so the team shelved it for an extended period of time. Now it's finally making a return, and Jones is proud to honor Urlacher's legacy.

"It's such an honor to be able to wear that number," Jones told the media on Friday. "I came in and Tony [Medlin], the equipment guy, he's been here for such a long time. He's like, 'I think it would be really cool,' and obviously it is."