Editor’s note: This story is part of Peak, The Athletic’s desk covering leadership, personal development and performance through the lens of sports. Follow Peak .
In the world of college football, where tradition often dictates norms, BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier stands out not just for his performance on the field but also for his unconventional jersey number. While quarterbacks typically sport numbers between 1 and 19, Bachmeier proudly wears No. 47, a number usually reserved for linebackers and fullbacks. This article explores whether this unusual choice provides him with a psychological advantage, drawing on insights from sports psychology and the player’s personal connection to the number.
Bachmeier’s unique choice sparks questions about the psychological impact of jersey numbers on athletes. Does wearing an unconventional number give him a mental edge? This article delves into the story behind Bachmeier’s choice and examines the psychology of jersey numbers in sports.
The Unconventional Choice: Bear Bachmeier’s No. 47
Bear Bachmeier brought a jersey to a comedy show. But it wasn’t his.
BYU’s true freshman starting quarterback of the South Central Louisiana State University Mud Dogs to Adam Sandler’s show last month in Salt Lake City. The jersey is worn by Mud Dogs lunatic-on-the-field linebacker Bobby Boucher, who in Sandler’s 1998 film “The Waterboy,” transformed from a reserved fan of H20 into a highlight-reel hitter running on an endless reserve of tackling fuel.
It’s fitting that Bachmeier, who has spearheaded No. 8 BYU’s undefeated season, has a Bobby Boucher jersey because you won’t find any starting quarterback in big-time college or professional football like Bear Bachmeier. Not just because of his first name, which already provides a dash of mystique, or his physical Boucher-like style of play.
It’s because of his jersey number.
Traditionally, quarterbacks in football have worn numbers 1 through 19, a system initially designed to help officials identify the most important player on the field. In the NFL, quarterbacks are still required to wear a number in that range. Think of any famous quarterback. No. 12: Tom Brady. No. 16: Joe Montana. No. 15: Patrick Mahomes.
But in college, there are no such restrictions, and so Bachmeier has opted for something juuuust a bit different: 47, a jersey number long reserved for fearless fullbacks and massive middle linebackers. Of the 163 FBS quarterbacks who have played 150 snaps this season, Bachmeier is the only one to wear a number above 19.
Bachmeier has been a revelation for undefeated BYU this season. At 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, the 19-year-old quarterback won the starting spot in fall camp despite arriving at BYU in May. He’s been efficient, throwing for 1,693 yards along with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. And he’s utilized his sizable frame on the ground, too, accounting for nine rushing touchdowns.
It’s when he tucks the ball into his elbow and takes off that he feels the most like No. 47.
“When I put that on, it’s a reminder of family and trying to make them proud,” Bachmeier said. “I’m playing quarterback and having that uniqueness, it is the epitome of toughness. It’s a fine line, but it makes me want to run somebody over. I think it brings me back to that primitive nature.”
The Psychological Edge: Does the Number Matter?
It might be strange to think that something as trivial as a jersey number could provide a psychological boost, but experts, history and research suggest Bachmeier might be onto something.
A UCLA study found that smaller jersey numbers led people to perceive players as slimmer. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert who wore jersey numbers in the single digits and teens. Many said they felt faster in a smaller number. Jersey numbers can be integral to a player’s identity. Veteran athletes on new teams have paid tens of thousands of dollars to reclaim a number occupied by one of their teammates.
Former NFL running back Chris Thompson put it this way to : “I’m all about, ‘You look good, you feel good; you feel good, you play good.’ I’m all about that. I know it ain’t all about that, but that’s what I believe in my mind.”
Could a player find a psychological edge, however small, in wearing a number that signifies something to them?
“As humans, we really like having control of our lives, control of our surroundings, and part of that control is controlling your own identity,” said Dr. Chris Stankovich, a sports psychologist who has worked with youth, collegiate and pro athletes. “As an athlete, you think, ‘That is who I am. I am that number.’ And the number for many athletes provides comfort and confidence. Every little edge helps. It might not be a big deal to 6 or 7 year olds, but in high school, college, the pros, if you can get a jump about feeling good with your own identity with this number on your back, why wouldn’t you do it?”
Numbers and Identity: A Human Affinity
Human nature’s affinity for identifying oneself with a number is as common as an astrological sign. Early on in his lectures, London-based mathematician Alex Bellos makes a point to find time to poll the audience about their favorite numbers. When he asks who in attendance has one, most hands immediately shoot up.
“Even though numbers are very abstract or objective,” Bellos said, “we cannot help but impose some sort of quantitative understanding onto them in a human way.”
The Bachmeier Brothers: A Family Connection
One person who agrees: Hank Bachmeier, Bear’s older brother, who also played quarterback in college.
“When you have that number you want, you create a persona,” Hank said. “When you have your own unique number, you have a perspective, perception and a quiet confidence about yourself.”
The Origin of 47: A Father’s Choice
Bear Bachmeier didn’t choose 47 himself. It was selected by his father, Michael. Bear was 5, playing linebacker and running back for the Rancho Panthers growing up in Murrieta, Calif. Michael, a former officer in the United States Marine Corps, chose the number for Bear because he felt it represented toughness. Growing up, Michael always admired fullbacks and linebackers. Back then, stars of those positions weren’t allowed to wear the numbers from 1 through 19 like quarterbacks. No, they were anywhere from 20 to 50.
But why precisely 47?
“I’m not entirely sure,” Bear said. “My dad really likes those 30s, 40s and 50s numbers. He stuck with it. He played quarterback growing up, but he wanted me to be gritty and tough.”
It was Bear’s style of play that impressed upon his dad that he needed something different. “When he was 5, instead of tackling somebody on defense, he would just take the ball from someone and run like 60 yards the other way,” Michael said. “In my mind, I just picked a number that made sense to me. He needed a cool football number. That’s where 47 came to me.”
47: A Constant Through the Years
Ever since, Bear has been 47. In every Pop Warner league, in every youth All-Star showcase (except for one, which he felt like threw him off), through high school and during his rise to a four-star sought-after recruit in Southern California. Bear’s older brother Hank said their dad would always remind Bear to embrace the mentality of a defensive player, even as a quarterback, instructing Bear from the sidelines to “run somebody over!” Bear also wore 47 in baseball and basketball, too.
Originally committed to Stanford, Bear’s jersey number became such a topic of fascination that recruiting websites posted about his “plans” to wear it even before he was enrolled.
The desired ethos 47 represents to the Bachmeiers showed itself in BYU’s win over rival Utah last month. With the Cougars nursing a 17-14 lead with less than five minutes remaining, Bachmeier’s primitive former linebacker nature returned. On a 3rd-and-10, he evaded tackle after tackle, eventually barreling into the end zone .
“Bear’s physical toughness is as good as I have ever been around,” his high school coach, George Wilson, .
In other words, he plays like a traditional 47.
Hank, the oldest of the five Bachmeier children, wore the No. 19 most of his life. Tiger Bachmeier, a junior wide receiver for BYU, also wears 19. Buck Bachmeier is a ninth-grader in Southern California. Like Bear, Buck — who is also nicknamed “Cougar” — plays quarterback and some linebacker.
The No. 47 wasn’t available for him this fall, so he went with 19. But Bear said as Buck gets older, he’s keeping an eye out for 47.
Conclusion: The Enduring Impact of a Number
Bear Bachmeier’s choice to wear No. 47 is more than just a quirky decision; it’s a symbol of identity, toughness, and family pride. The psychological impact of jersey numbers, though often overlooked, can provide athletes with a unique mental edge. Whether it’s the historical significance, the personal connection, or the sheer uniqueness of the number, it’s clear that what number on their back affects players on a psychological level.
As Bachmeier continues his college career, his performance will undoubtedly be linked to the number he proudly wears. The story of Bear Bachmeier and his No. 47 serves as a reminder that in sports, even the smallest details can hold significant meaning and contribute to an athlete’s overall performance and mindset.
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