Montee Ball joined the Patriots practice squad days before the team went out and signed three-time Pro Bowler Steven Jackson, and the younger running back quickly learned that veterans receive preferential treatment.
Ball was wearing No. 39 in his first several practices in New England. But when he showed up for work after Jackson was signed to the 53-man roster, there was a new jersey hanging in his locker.
“The funny thing about it, I just came in today and realized I was 31,” Ball joked on Tuesday, via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.
The former Wisconsin star didn’t seem to mind.
“Even if he would have asked for 39, I would have given it to him because I have so much respect for that man,” Ball said. “I was talking to him today and telling him that when I was little, he was the first person I ever got an autograph from. I’m from right outside St. Louis and he was with the Rams. I went to one of the Rams camps when I was young — 11, 12 years old, 13 — and he was there. It’s funny how everything comes full circle.”
We have seen some pretty elaborate transactions go down when players swap numbers, but none of that was needed here. Jackson is about eight years older than Ball and has a much better chance of contributing this season. Maybe next year, Montee.
