Rams’ Byron Young Explains Number: ‘0 Percent Chance for You To Make It’

Los Angeles Rams rookie outside linebacker Byron Young explained why he's made the decision to rock No. 0.

The Rams franchise has called Cleveland, Los Angeles, St. Louis and now Los Angeles again home. But in the entire history of the franchise -- which began play in 1937 -- no player has ever worn No. 0. Rookie outside linebacker Byron Young will change that in 2023. 

For the first time since 1972, NFL players will be allowed to wear No. 0 in 2023. Young -- a third-round pick out of Tennessee -- explained that a winding college career that included a stint where he worked in retail management before returning to football is what led to him picking the unique jersey number. 

"Where I came from and my journey, [it] was like basically a 0 percent chance for you to make it to this level," Young told ESPN. 

That's not an uncommon thing to hear from a player who reaches the NFL -- by definition, the odds are stacked against anyone reaching the sport's highest level. Young's college career was initially interrupted when Gulf Coast Sports Academy in Alabama ceased operations. Before playing at Georgia Military -- a junior college where he also lost the 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic -- Young worked as an assistant manager at Dollar General during what should have been his 2018 season. 

"Honestly, I love the fact that I worked at Dollar General. It gave me an understanding of how to live a regular life," Young told The Draft Network's Justin Melo. "A football life isn’t necessarily a regular life. I learned about what most people in America experience. It taught me never to take anything for granted.

"A 9-to-5, Monday-Friday grind," Young continued. "It’s totally different from football. A lot of people have this idea of athletes in their mind and working at Dollar General allowed me to see it from both perspectives. It taught me a ton about hard work. It showed me what it’s like to work in the real world. I appreciated my experience at Dollar General." 

After playing at Georgia Military, Young transferred to Tennessee for the 2021 season. In two seasons playing for the Volunteers, Young recorded 83 total tackles, 23.5 tackles for a loss and 12.5 sacks. The 6-foot-3, 245 pound pass rusher went from working at a retail chain to being a third-round pick in the NFL in the matter of five years, an even more improbable journey than the average player takes. 

Said improbable journey will continue if Young is able to help what's seemingly a top-heavy Rams team rebound from a disappointing 5-12 campaign in 2022 and return to the playoffs in his rookie season. 

You can follow Tim Kelly @TimKellySports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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