Jae Crowder is an NBA star who wears the number 99 on his jersey. But why does he choose such an unusual number? It turns out that there is a very meaningful story behind his choice.
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When Crowder was traded to the Boston Celtics, point guard Rajon Rondo already had the number nine.
In order to show respect for Rondo, one of the Boston greats, Crowder decided to pick a different number for himself. He ultimately chose the number 99 to honor his best friend from high school, Eric Thompson.
Thompson had worn the number 99 during his football days, and Crowder wanted to pay tribute to him.
Jae Crowder’s Trade to Boston
On December 18, 2014, Jae Crowder was traded to the Boston Celtics in a multi-team deal that sent Rajon Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks. When he first found out about the trade, Crowder was shocked. He was playing for the Dallas Mavericks at the time and had grown to love the city and the team. He was learning how to become a leader on the court and off of it, and it was hard for him to leave it all behind.
Once Crowder arrived in Boston, he had to decide which jersey number he wanted to wear. He knew that he wanted to respect Rajon Rondo’s legacy and the number 9 that he had worn for the Celtics. Instead of taking 9, Crowder decided to honor his best friend from high school, Eric Thompson, by wearing his football number, 99.
Crowder wanted to make sure that he showed his appreciation for Rondo’s accomplishments with the Celtics. He knew that Rondo had been an important part of the organization for many years, and he wanted to show his respect for the great player. By choosing 99 instead of 9, he was showing that he understood what Rondo had done for the team and that he was appreciative of it.
Jae Crowder’s time with the Boston Celtics has been an important part of his career. He has grown as a player and a leader during his time with the team. He has also been able to honor his friend from high school and show his respect for Rajon Rondo’s legacy with the Celtics. His decision to wear jersey number 99 has been a reminder of the impact that Rondo had on the team and how much he was appreciated by the organization.
Meaning Behind the Number 99
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Jae Crowder wears the number 99 on his jersey in remembrance of his best friend, Eric Thompson. The two grew up together in Villa Rica, Georgia, and were close since high school. As a tribute to his friend, Crowder decided to honor him in every game he plays by wearing Eric’s football number, 99.
Crowder’s decision to wear the number 99 was also a sign of respect towards one of the Boston Celtics’ greats, Rajon Rondo. When Crowder was traded to the Celtics, Rondo already had the number 9, so Crowder chose the number 99 out of respect.
The number 99 is now a source of motivation for Crowder and a reminder of his best friend. For every game that he plays, he wears the number in dedication to Thompson. In a post-game interview, Crowder stated that he wears the number “as an inspiration for my best friend who passed away”.
The number 99 is also a tribute to all of the people who have been in Crowder’s life and helped him get to the place where he is today. He says that the number has become a symbol of his journey, and all the people who have supported him along the way.
Crowder’s choice to wear the number 99 is an admirable tribute to his best friend Eric Thompson, and a sign of respect towards one of the Celtics’ greats, Rajon Rondo. The number 99 is not just a number to him; it’s a symbol of everything he has been through and all the people that have helped him along the way.
How Jae Crowder’s Number 99 is a Tribute
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Jae Crowder is a United States professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). In 2014, he was traded to the Boston Celtics and was given the number 99 jersey. While this number has no particular significance to the Celtics organization, it holds a special place in Crowder’s heart. It is a tribute to his high school best friend, Eric Thompson.
Crowder and Thompson were inseparable friends while growing up in Texas. They had a deep connection, and both shared the same passion for sports. Thompson had worn the number 99 while playing football in high school. The two were so close that Crowder even chose to wear Thompson’s number when he made it to the NBA.
When Crowder was traded to the Celtics, he wanted to pay homage to his best friend by wearing his number. However, at the time, the number 9 was being worn by Rajon Rondo, who was a Boston Celtics great. Rather than disrespecting Rondo by stealing his number, Crowder chose to honor his high school friend by wearing his number instead.
Thompson’s legacy lives on through Crowder’s jersey number. Every time the Celtics player takes the court, he is reminded of his best friend and their bond. The number 99 is a symbol of their friendship and the memories that they shared together. It is a reminder of their bond and how much it meant to both of them.
Jae Crowder’s tribute to his high school friend is a beautiful gesture that honors the legacy of their friendship. It is a reminder of how long friendships can last, even when they are separated by distances or time. Even though Thompson is no longer alive, he will always be remembered through Crowder’s number 99 jersey.
How Jae Crowder’s Number 99 Honors Eric Thompson
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When Jae Crowder was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2014, he made a decision to honor his best friend from high school, Eric Thompson, by wearing the number 99. This number has a special significance for both of them as it was the number Thompson wore during his football career.
It all started back in high school when Crowder and Thompson were both star athletes in their respective sports. Thompson was a star football player, playing both cornerback and wide receiver, while Crowder was a star forward in basketball. The two quickly became best friends and continued to stay close even after they both graduated and went on to play professionally.
When Crowder was traded to the Celtics, he was presented with a dilemma. Rondo, one of the Celtics greats, had already been assigned the number 9, and Crowder did not want to disrespect him by taking it. Instead, he decided to honor his best friend by taking the number 99, which was the number Thompson had worn during his football career.
For Crowder, it was a way to pay tribute to not only his best friend, but also to their shared memories of high school sports. “It was just the bond that we shared playing sports together,” Crowder said. “That was our dream — to make it to the NBA and NFL. We talked about it all the time.”
Taking the number 99 was a way for Crowder to honor his best friend and show appreciation for their shared dream. It was a way for him to keep their friendship alive and show that he still values Thompson’s friendship and support.
For Thompson, it was an incredible honor. “I was speechless,” he said. “It was a great feeling knowing that he thought of me and still shows love to this day.”
Crowder’s decision to wear the number 99 is a testament to the strong bond between him and his best friend, Eric Thompson. It is a way for them to stay connected and remember the days when they used to play sports together back in high school. It is a tribute to their shared dreams and the friendship they have shared since then.
Legacy of Jae Crowder and Number 99
Jae Crowder’s number 99 has been a symbol of hard work, dedication, and loyalty throughout his career. Since being traded to the Boston Celtics in 2014, Jae has become one of the team’s most reliable and consistent players, earning him the nickname “99 Problems but a Crowder ain’t one.” His number has been a source of pride and inspiration for both Celtics fans and players alike.
The number 99 has become an iconic symbol of Crowder’s legacy in Boston. He has been a key contributor to the Celtics’ success over the past five seasons, making three All-Star appearances and helping the team to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2017. In addition, he has been a vocal leader for the team in the locker room and on the court, often seen as the emotional heart of the team.
Crowder’s number 99 has been embraced by fans who have adopted the phrase “99 Problems but a Crowder ain’t one” as a rallying cry for the team. It has also become a symbol of resilience and determination for fans, as Crowder has overcome numerous injuries and setbacks throughout his career. His number has become a reminder of how hard work and dedication can pay off in the long run.
Crowder’s number 99 will continue to be remembered long after he leaves the game. It is a reminder of all that he accomplished as a player, and of the spirit and drive he brought to the Celtics. His number will continue to be a source of inspiration for Celtics fans and players alike, a reminder of the hard work and determination it takes to be successful. Jae Crowder’s number 99 will forever be remembered as a symbol of hard work, dedication, and loyalty.
To Recap
Jae Crowder’s jersey number of 99 is more than just a number. It is a way for him to show respect for one of Boston’s all-time greats, Rajon Rondo, while also honoring his best friend from high school.
His choice of 99 speaks volumes about his character and his commitment to those close to him.
