Patrick Peterson had to pay to get the #7 for his jersey

So, we literally just told you that cornerback Patrick Peterson was going to wear the #7 for the Minnesota Vikings, but there’s an aspect of the story that’s cool enough to require its own post.

You may not have known this. . .I certainly didn’t. . .but the #7 for the Vikings was already occupied. It was being worn by quarterback Nate Stanley, who the Vikings drafted in the seventh round of last year’s draft and spent the entire year on the Vikings practice squad.

Normally, when one player has a number that another player wants, there is a price to be extracted so that the exchange can be made. After all, lots of players have an attachment to whatever number they select, whatever their reasons might be. So, Peterson and Stanley needed to negotiate a deal so that Peterson could take over the number that he wanted.

To his credit, Stanley made a pretty good deal.

To get his #7, Peterson has agreed to donate new shoulder pads to Stanley’s high school alma mater, Menomonie High School. Menomonie isn’t a big school, with an enrollment of around 1,000 students, and won a state football championship as recently as 2002. I’m sure that they’re going to be greatly helped by Peterson’s generosity.

And, in case you were wondering, Stanley will now be wearing the #14. I’m sure that this won’t cause any heartburn among the Vikings’ faithful.

Kudos to Patrick Peterson and Nate Stanley for working out such an outstanding deal to help the football team at Stanley’s high school.