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The Steelers announced the jersey numbers for the whole roster yesterday, and the jersey number that stood out the most was Steelers third-round pick Kendrick Green getting No. 53.
That number, obviously, belonged to former Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, who announced he was retiring back in February. Some were surprised that the Steelers gave Green No. 53 being that Pouncey recently retired
Pouncey earned nine Pro Bowl nominations and was named first-team All-Pro twice in his 11-year career with the Steelers. So, Green will certainly have big shoes to fill.
Green told the media today at the first rookie minicamp practice that he asked for No. 53 and the Steelers just gave it to him.
“I wore No. 53 since high school. Obviously, at Illinois, I wore it, as well, so I kind of requested it," Green said. "I got big shoes to fill. I’m gonna work toward that.”