Lions Rookie Changes Jersey Number in Emotional Tribute to Fallen Friend
Detroit Lions rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold is making a heartfelt gesture ahead of the 2025 NFL season—one that goes beyond football. Arnold is changing his jersey number from 0 to 6 to honor his former Alabama teammate and close friend, Khyree Jackson, who tragically passed away last summer.
Jackson, a fourth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2023, wore No. 6 during his time at Alabama, where he and Arnold shared the field from 2021 to 2022. After transferring to Oregon and emerging as a legitimate NFL prospect, Jackson was signed by the Vikings, only to lose his life in a car crash just months later.
Arnold shared the reason behind the number change in a TikTok post, writing, “Why did you change numbers? Because I wanted my brother to live through me,” alongside a photo of Jackson in his college uniform.
It was a touching tribute for a player who was taken far too soon, and it adds a deeper layer of meaning to Arnold’s rookie campaign. Jackson’s impact continues to be felt around the league—not just in Minnesota, where the Vikings honored him last season, but now in Detroit as well.
Adding to the number shuffle, Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs will switch to Arnold’s old No. 0, keeping the jersey alive in a different role.
Two young players. Two fresh numbers. But for Arnold, it’s about more than a look—it’s about legacy.
Detroit’s Terrion Arnold Pays Tribute to Former Teammate by Changing Jersey Number
