Hall of Fame guard Steve Hutchinson spent the first five seasons of his career donning the Seattle Seahawks' No. 76. First-round rookie Grey Zabel asked permission to replicate the all-time great.
"That was kind of the equipment staff's idea," Zabel said of being issued No. 76, via the team's official website. "I had to ask Hutch if it was OK to wear it and he was all for it and super excited for it. No better number to wear in Seattle history."
Hutchinson's No. 76 isn't retired in Seattle, and several players have worn it since, including Russell Okung, Germain Ifedi and Duane Brown. Hutchinson famously left Seattle after five years, signing the infamous "poison pill" contract in Minnesota.
The rookie reaching out to get Hutchinson's blessing, even if he didn't need it, shows a certain level of respect for the history of the game.
Zabel said he met Hutchinson in Mobile, Alabama, during the Senior Bowl and had several talks with the stalwart O-lineman heading into the draft.
"Being able to connect with him was a surreal experience," Zabel said. "I remember after my interview with him down at the Senior Bowl, I immediately called my dad to tell him that. Super excited and hopefully I'll have more conversations with him."
If Zabel becomes even a fraction of the player that Hutchinson was during his career, the Seahawks will have bolstered the interior of their O-line, a massive need entering the draft.
Also of note, with the Seahawks assigning rookie numbers, second-round safety Nick Emmanwori was given No. 3. He becomes the first player since Seattle traded Russell Wilson to Denver to don that number. He also becomes the first Seahawks defender ever to wear No. 3.
