New England Patriots Give Tom Brady's Number 12 To New Player?!

A social media hoax had some believing that the New England Patriots gave newcomer Antonio Gibson Tom Brady's famed No. 12.

Oct 6, 2019; Landover, MD, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes the ball as / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps fulling the "Patriot Way" of going the extra mile, one New England Patriots fan page extended April Fools' Day to April Fools' Week.

Patriots-based social media embarked on a bit of a frenzy on Monday when "@gabe_pats" posted a photo of Antonio Gibson's Instagram story, which showcased his new locker at the team facility ... one apparently bearing the No. 12, numerals obviously reserved for franchise legend Tom Brady.

Fortunately for Patriots fans ... and perhaps Gibson himself, who is saved from gargantuan expectations ... the account describes itself as an "Underground Patriots Meme Page" and makes it clear that it is "not a news source," hinting at crafty editing tricks. Gibson's unaltered story shows that he'll be wearing No. 21 instead.

Nov 5, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Washington Commanders running back Antonio Gibson (24) / Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

That didn't stop several Patriots fans from worrying about the status of Brady's jersey, which was honored by the team less than a year after his retirement last season. Despite an extravagant ceremony held during the team's September opener against Philadelphia, Brady's No. 12 was not officially retired by the team, though it's undoubtedly out of circulation until further notice. The Patriots have been a bit conservative when it comes to number retirements: only seven players have had such an honor, with Bruce Armstrong behind the last to earn the privilege in 2001.

While 12 is an unusual number for halfbacks, adjusted jersey rules introduced in 2023 allowed them to wear Nos. 0-49 and 80-89. Josh Jacobs, Bijan Robinson, and D'Andre Swift are among those who have taken advantage.

Even if Gibson won't be wearing No. 12, he does have a bit of a reputation to live up with 21. Defender Adrian Phillips was the last to wear it, doing so for each of the last four seasons, while Malcolm Butler is perhaps the most notable rep. Gibson previously wore No. 24 during four seasons with the Washington Football Team/Commanders, but the jersey of new teammate Joshua Bledsoe currently bears the digits most famously donned by Ty Law.