PHILADELPHIA – Jeremiah Trotter Jr. didn’t expect to get his father’s number with the Philadelphia Eagles. Luckily for the son of an Eagles legend, the franchise was one step ahead of him.
When the Eagles were handing out jersey numbers before the start of rookie minicamp this week, they knew exactly what number Trotter was looking for.
“They didn’t necessarily ask me. They just assumed what number I was going to ask first,” Trotter said with a smile at the NovaCare complex. “They kind of put it on hold.”
Unsurprisingly, Trotter will wear number 54 with the Eagles – the same number his father wore with the franchise for each of his three stints with the team. Trotter Sr. was dominant wearing number 54 while playing in Philadelphia, as he is one of only four Eagles linebackers in franchise history to earn four Pro Bowl berths – joining Chuck Bednarik, Maxie Baughan and Bill Bergey.
Trotter Sr. was a MIKE linebacker in the middle of an Eagles defense that finished in the top five in points allowed three times. The Eagles earned five playoff appearances, three NFC East titles, one NFC championship and an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIX during Trotter’s tenure in Philadelphia.
Knowing how special the number 54 was to the Trotter family, there wasn’t much question as to whether Trotter Jr. was going to wear the number.
“I came in and when they asked for numbers, I asked if I could get 5-4,” Trotter said. “They said ‘yes, you can get it, definitely.’
“I say it worked pretty well.”
Trotter Jr. wore the same number as his father throughout his own playing career, making the number his own while playing at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia and during his three years at Clemson. The pressure won’t mount for Trotter Jr. to wear number 54 again, a number he embraces and continues to build his own legacy.
“I’ve carried it my whole life,” Trotter said. “I also wore it because my dad wore it when he played here. I was very happy to hear that it was available and they decided to give me that number.
“I’m going to wear it with pride and be the best player I can be.”
