By Blessing 
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold is making a heartfelt change as he enters his second NFL season. He’s switching from jersey No. 0 to No. 6—a number that holds deep personal meaning.
Arnold’s decision is a tribute to his late friend and former Alabama teammate, Khyree Jackson, who tragically lost his life in a car accident last July. The two shared the field at Alabama during the 2021 and 2022 seasons before Jackson transferred to Oregon.
Both players went on to the NFL in 2024—Arnold as a first-round pick for Detroit and Jackson as a fourth-round selection by the Minnesota Vikings.
Jackson had planned to wear No. 31 in Minnesota, but No. 6 was his number back at Alabama. In his honor, the Vikings paid tribute with “KJ” helmet decals and chose to retire his jersey number for the season.
For Arnold, the number change isn’t just symbolic—it’s deeply emotional. Speaking on Alabama’s New Wave Podcast, he said, “I just feel like just being able to honor his legacy and then the impact that he even had on me.”
Arnold started 15 games during his rookie year but exited the final regular season game with an injury. He returned for the playoffs, posting six tackles in the Lions’ loss to Washington.