From Cal Ripken Jr.’s ironman streak to Kobe Bryant’s fadeaway, 8 has been stitched into America’s sports lore. And if we bring our attention back to active athletes, Lamar Jackson’s name is prominent, donning that number. And no denying, he has upheld the reputation of the No. 8. Jackson has been in the NFL for just seven seasons. And he already has some extraordinary stuff in his kitty. He has been a 2x MVP while also having an MVP-worthy 4,000-plus passing yards and 800-plus rushing yards in a single season. The most important thing is that he defied neglect and rejection on his way. But his aura in the No.8 is not limited to the NFL only.

Look at Jackson’s college career. In three seasons at Louisville, Jackson passed for 9,043 yards and 69 touchdowns and rushed for 4,132 yards and 50 scores. To top it off, he is the Heisman Trophy winner of 2016, finishing in third place in 2017. So, No. 8 is not just another number for Jackson, and it looks like he would go to any length to retain his exclusivity on this number- as far as exploring legal twists and turns.

It all began on July 9, 2024, when Jackson’s legal team filed a trademark opposition against Troy Aikman’s company, FL101, arguing its “EIGHT” branding on apparel and bags could confuse fans. Jackson’s attorney claimed his “Era 8” trademarks—registered first, were “highly similar in sound, appearance, connotation, and commercial impression” to Aikman’s. The Ravens QB has plastered 8 on everything from hoodies to wild-dog logos, arguing it’s synonymous with his brand.

“Some of the instant reaction is, like, how can you own a number?” says American University’s Christine Farley. “The truth is you can own almost anything you think of as a trademark.” The U.S. Patent Office lists 9,996 live trademarks with “eight” and 1,801 with “8.” But Aikman’s camp might counter that a number alone isn’t confusing. With a response deadline of August 18, this duel feels like overtime in a tied game that is far from over. Meanwhile, another game started.

In April 2025, Jackson has now opposed NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s trademark for a stylized No. 8. Earnhardt, who raced the number from 1999-2007, aims to reclaim it after his stepmother let rights lapse. Jackson’s filing argues Earnhardt’s design could falsely link their brands, muddying his “Era 8” merchandise. Jackson’s opposition targets Earnhardt Jr.’s application for a slanted “8” design, distinct from his classic Budweiser-era font.

The Ravens QB, moreover, argues that JR Motorsports’ branding—applied to merch like hats and bags—risks diluting his “Era 8” trademarks filed in 2020. Jackson’s filing states, “Purchasers and prospective purchasers are likely to mistakenly believe that the products Earnhardt Jr. offers are related to the products and services provided by Jackson.” Earnhardt Jr. has his own intricate ties with the No.8. So much so that his autobiography about his rookie season in NASCAR is named “Driver #8.” True- he never won a championship donning that, but no one ever could become the “home team” for millions of fans like Earnhardt.

UPDATE: Understandably, Earnhardt did not want to lose hold of his beloved No. 8. So, he came up with a twist. On Friday, Earnhardt announced on his X that he has secured the right to use a stylized version of No. 8 and will forgo the original No. 8 logo used by his team, JR Motorsports. With that rebranding, Earnhardt Jr. escaped trademark review.

Top Comment by Modified6

No it’s an idiotic move. Dale Jr. Made it before he was even in the nfl ravens own the...more

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Debate

Although this looks to have been settled, one debate might always be up in the air- who is the greatest athlete to even don the No. 8? As it stands, every sport or league has a contender, and the choice is incredibly difficult. Here is a look:

Kobe Bryant in the NBA

Bryant wore two numbers- No. 8 from 1996-2006, then No. 24 until he retired. But it is the No. 8 that has seen most of his iconic moments. Remember game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference finals? Kobe would dish out his historic lob to Shaquille O’Neal for a fourth-quarter comeback, eventually winning his first of the championships. The coming years would see him winning three more titles in that jersey. If that is not enough, recall his 81-point game against the Raptors in 2006, and you will find him to be a fitting contender for the best.

Alex Ovechkin in the NHL

The left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals is nicknamed “The Great 8” for a reason. His career is studded with records like the most power play goals, most goals in away games, most empty net goals, most overtime goals, most game-winning goals, among others. And if that is not enough, Ovechkin, at the time of writing this, sits tied with Wayne Gretzky in all-time goal scoring.

Yogi Berra, Carl Yastrzemski, and Cal Ripken Jr. of the MLB

Yastrzemski wore No. 8 for 23 years in Boston. In eighteen of those years, he was an All-Star. From 1967 to  2012, he was the only hitter to win the Triple Crown. Ripken Jr., broke Lou Gehrig’s streak 2,130 consecutive games without a day off, and then extended it three entire seasons, finishing at 2,632 days. Berra, on the other hand, led the Yankees to 10 World Series championships. Who would get your vote for the No. 8 greatness?