RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has sent a cease-and-desist letter to LSU, but the legal move is not actually about the jersey number that has caused frustration around his former college.
Daniels’ No. 5 was recently given to sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett after remaining unworn since the quarterback left LSU for the NFL in 2024.
The timing of the legal notice led many to believe Daniels was challenging LSU over Pickett wearing his old number. However, NFL insider Mike Garafolo clarified that the letter concerns Daniels’ name, image and likeness rather than the No. 5 jersey.
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Jayden Daniels’ LSU dispute is about his NIL, not No. 5
Daniels’ attorney, Adam Kenner, sent the cease-and-desist letter to LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry.
‘There’s nothing in the letter about LSU using the No. 5 jersey,’ Garafolo wrote on X. ‘There’s no legal claim to the number itself. The communication is solely about Jayden Daniels’ NIL.’
According to the letter, LSU’s agreement with Daniels allowed the school to use his name and likeness for 180 days after his final snap.
Kenner has now demanded that LSU stop using Daniels’ NIL, warning that any continued use could lead to further legal action.
The jersey dispute, meanwhile, appears to be separate.
Daniels’ camp has made its frustration clear after LSU handed No. 5 to Pickett. A spokesperson said the Daniels family was ‘deeply disappointed’ and felt ‘profoundly disrespected’ by the decision.
‘Jayden made it clear that he did not want his number given to another player, and he believed his wishes would be respected,’ the spokesperson said.
Daniels won the Heisman Trophy during his LSU career and became one of the most celebrated players in the programme’s recent history.
His No. 5 has not been officially retired, but it had remained untouched since his departure. Joe Burrow’s No. 9 has similarly remained unworn since he left LSU in 2019.
Pickett previously wore No. 3 during his first season with the Tigers and is now taking over Daniels’ old number.
For Daniels, however, the legal dispute and the jersey decision are two different matters.
The Commanders quarterback’s camp has now made its position clear on his NIL, while LSU has a separate decision to deal with over the number that has caused so much frustration.
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