Johnny Unitas Didn't Matter To Carson Beck, And That Makes His Number 19 Choice WILD

Alright 12s, buckle up, because there's a rookie QB out there who just made a jersey number choice that's gonna have some of you shaking your heads. We're talking about Carson Beck, a third-round pick by the Cardinals, who is officially rocking number 19. Sounds pretty standard, right? Until you hear what he said about the legend who arguably made that number famous.

Beck straight up admitted he knows Johnny Unitas is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but that's about it. He doesn't know much more. WHAT?! Unitas, the absolute GOAT who was assigned 19 with the Colts back in 1956 and became the most famous 19 in NFL history? Yeah, that guy. And our man Beck is like, "Who dat?" This isn't just about a number, it's about respecting the history of the game, something every true fan, especially us in the Emerald City, holds sacred.

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"Oh No," He Said About Number 19

So how did Beck end up with the number 19? The Cardinals assigned it to him after picking him up in April. And his reaction? He told Darren Urban of azcardinals.com, "I looked and thought, 'There are no numbers between 1 and 19 except 19. Oh no.'" You can practically hear the sigh, can't you? He went on to say that all his friends started making fun of him because, as he noted, "Not many quarterbacks have 19." Talk about a tough welcome to the league! But Beck, to his credit, is trying to spin it: "So in my head I need to turn it into a positive thing, ‘OK, let’s make it my own.’” Good attitude, kid, but you got some big shoes, and a big legacy, to make your own with that number.

From Georgia To Miami To The Cards, Chasing Number 11

It turns out that 19 wasn't even Beck's first choice. He apparently had his sights set on number 11, like, for a long time. When he first arrived at Georgia, Stetson Bennett already had 11, so Beck got assigned 15. Then, when he transferred to the University of Miami, he finally got his wish and got to wear 11. You'd think he'd be sticking with it, right?

Nope. When the Cardinals drafted him, Beck was quick to realize that number 11 in Arizona isn't just a number. He knew Larry Fitzgerald wore it, and with a legend like Fitz, that jersey is basically off-limits. Beck himself thought, "Somebody’s jersey will probably be getting retired here shortly, so I don’t think 11 is a good option." So, while he might be a little hazy on Unitas, he definitely knows his Larry Fitzgerald history! That's a small win, I guess.

So, Carson Beck will wear 19, attempting to etch his own name into its history. It's early in the season, and every rookie is trying to find their footing, but a choice like this, and the comments that come with it, certainly makes you wonder about the mindset. For us here in Seattle, keeping an eye on how these young QBs develop, especially those trying to make a name for themselves, is always part of the fun. Let’s see if Beck can truly make number 19 his own, or if he’ll just be another footnote in its storied past. Next up, it's all about camp and getting ready for the real grind!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.