Cleveland Browns 2015 first-round draft pick Danny Shelton recently switched his jersey number, getting rid of 71 and going with the number 55. This may come across as a little odd, especially coming from a younger player about to enter his second season in the NFL – and after thousands of fans paid for his jersey his rookie year. After all, he was a first-round pick.
Upon announcing the jersey switch, the former Washington Huskies player quickly added that he would do something for all of his loyal fans who purchased his jersey with the No. 71.
For my loyal fans that bought my jersey last year, I am deeply sorry! Don’t toss it, I will think of something cool for you! #55sBack
— The Feast Mode 71 (@Danny_Shelton55) April 19, 2016
The number “55” is not just a number to Shelton. It’s a life-defining number, one in which represents family as well as heritage.
It was May 1, 2011 when tragedy struck the Shelton family.
It happened right after church.
Gaston Shelton, the oldest of the five siblings, asked his three brothers to back him up after being involved in an incident that turned violent. The gunman shot two of the Shelton brothers, and was aiming at Danny when the handgun jammed. Danny saw this as an opportunity to end a horrific, unimaginable scenario and threw a chair at the gunman before proceeding to tackle him. Shelton repeatedly punched the man in the face – with his own gun – until his hands “froze” and he wasn’t able to do more damage.
“The whole time, my brothers are down on the ground and, me, I’m just trying to do damage really. I didn’t care if the guy died,” Shelton said. Danny got off as and the man fled before being captured by the police.
Shennon Shelton, age 22 was pronounced dead at the scene. He had returned from a tour in Afghanistan a year before the incident.
His other brother, Gaston, who initially called his brothers for backup was shot in his lung, although would survive after being hospitalized. Gaston Shelton wore No. 55, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, throughout his years playing football, so the number change is quite simple to understand. It’s more than a number. It’s family.
The change also pays respect to his Samoan heritage as the late Junior Seau made No. 55 famous over the course of his NFL tenure. Between family and heritage, Shelton realizes the stage he is on and wants to honor those who provided him the opportunity to reach the point he currently is at.
Although fans may feel like they’re money was wasted for purchasing the old Danny Shelton Jersey, the former Washington Husky came up with a grand idea. He plans to have a signing for those who have his old jersey, and is making it as easy as simply sending in your jersey to the Browns in Berea.
Update for all of my loyal fans that bought a 71 Jersey, who live in Ohio! I will have a signing for you all before training camp! #GoBrowns
— The Feast Mode 71 (@Danny_Shelton55) June 6, 2016
Last Update for fans in the US and International! IF YOU MAIL ME THE 71 JERSEY YOU BOUGHT, I’LL SIGN IT! 76 Lou Groza Berea, OH 44017 #Woof
— The Feast Mode 71 (@Danny_Shelton55) June 6, 2016
Shelton takes his role within the community seriously and has came from a tight-knit family in which set the foundation for the Browns defensive lineman’s caring personality. Despite the horrific past Shelton has faced, he’s always got the biggest smile in the room. So be sure to send in your No. 71 Danny Shelton jersey to the address provided by his twitter in order to get a signed jersey.
