Bucs star WR Chris Godwin to defer to Tom Brady on No. 12

ByABC News
March 20, 2020, 6:29 PM

Now that Tom Brady has officially signed his new deal with the Buccaneers, the only question that remains is what uniform number the future Hall of Fame quarterback will wear next season.

He spent his two decades with the Patriots wearing No. 12, but that number belongs to star receiver Chris Godwin, who said Friday he has spoken with Brady but the number didn't come up in their conversation.

"Obviously, If he doesn't want it, or if he's not making a big deal out of it, I'm definitely going to keep it. We'll see how that goes," he said in a video interview with the Buccaneers' website. "I think just out of respect for what he's done, what he's accomplished, just kind of the career he's built for himself, you have to lean into that respect."

Godwin also talked about his number in an interview Friday with ESPN's NFL Live, saying he was "passionate" about the number, which he has worn since high school. He again said he would defer to Brady out of respect for everything he has accomplished in his career.

"He's the GOAT," he said.

Brady wore No. 10 at Michigan and has said that No. 12 wasn't his first choice of uniform number when he entered the league.

"I was 10 in college, and when I got here, [former Patriots punter] Lee Johnson was 10," Brady told reporters two years ago. "So whatever number was on my locker, which was 12, that was the one that [former Patriots equipment manager] Don Brocher gave me."

When New England released Lee, Brady said he thought about switching to No. 10 but ultimately decided to stay with No. 12.

Rookie wide receiver  Scotty Miller currently wears No. 10 for the Bucs.