Jayden Daniels and his representatives had no idea what they were unleashing when they filed a complaint against LSU for giving away his #5 jersey.
The Washington Commanders quarterback and former Heisman Trophy winner is now engaged in a dispute with his former school over sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett wearing his former jersey number. Not only is Daniels upset, but his lawyer has also sent the school a formal cease-and-desist letter demanding that they stop using his name, image, and likeness.
LSU has only one true retired jersey that cannot be worn again: Billy Cannon’s #20. However, the school has also not reissued Joe Burrow’s #9 after the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback won both the Heisman and a National Championship with the Tigers. While Daniels also did the first, he never made the College Football Playoff in his time in Baton Rouge.
While Jayden Daniels may feel entitled to more respect from LSU, the universal reception to his move has been ice-cold. But it’s one thing to be criticized within the football world for doing something seen as a colossal mistake; Daniels should be focused on bouncing back from an injury-plagued season with the Commanders instead of fighting over a college jersey number.
But the story has now broken containment, with social media piling on and poking fun at Daniels for believing he has ownership of the number in perpetuity. And it’s not just the New York Mets making light of the situation; it’s happening everywhere, from colleges to racetracks to sports betting outlets.
Effective immediately, we will no longer offer tickets in groups of 5. Out of respect for Jayden Daniels, we’re only doing 4 or 6+. Thank you for your understanding. pic.twitter.com/MT9lohBrot
— StubHub (@StubHub) August 13, 2026
Out of respect for Jayden Daniels, we have removed the 5-yard line from our field
F.I.G.H.T. #RoarLionRoar 🦁 // #OnlyHere 🗽 pic.twitter.com/g97iauEyXr
— Columbia Football (@CULionsFB) August 14, 2026
Went from 4 to 6 runs out of respect for Jayden Daniels pic.twitter.com/DfNb8nlRqi
— Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) August 15, 2026
Out of respect for Jayden Daniels, we will no longer be using Post 5 on the starting gate at Saratoga Race Course. pic.twitter.com/qVCSrNBl8p
— Saratoga Race Course (@Saratoga1863) August 14, 2026
Alan Jackson has changed the name of his song to “It’s Four O’Clock Somewhere” out of respect for Jayden Daniels. pic.twitter.com/ip4wu4p2sC
— Whiskey Riff (@WhiskeyRiff) August 14, 2026
yesterday’s game will resume 5:05 PM tonight in the 5th inning …
hope that’s okay with Jayden Daniels. https://t.co/cQuQXr054I pic.twitter.com/VP5eml0lHO
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 14, 2026
Out of respect for Jayden Daniels, Corey Heim will no longer be running the No. 5 tonight at Richmond Raceway. pic.twitter.com/lpucsXq23T
— TRICON (@TRICONGarage) August 14, 2026
BREAKING: Hurricane categories have been changed to Category 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6, to allow Jayden Daniels his rights to number 5 pic.twitter.com/t8h3FpRv3L
— Max Velocity (@MaxVelocityWX) August 14, 2026
NEWS: Out of respect for Jayden Daniels, Micah Tucker will no longer wear number 5 for the upcoming season.
To see what number Micah will be wearing in person, secure your season tickets at https://t.co/XfhL7xkcHi 🎟️ pic.twitter.com/EiYWwENG6R
— Grand Canyon Men’s Basketball (@GCU_MBB) August 15, 2026
Out of respect to Jayden Daniels, I’ll be ending my work shift at 4:59 today.
Thanks to my boss for understanding me heading out early.
— DraftKings Sports (@DKSports) August 14, 2026
Has anyone fumbled their public image as needlessly and as quickly as Jayden Daniels had? If these are the memes that are popping up now in August, just imagine what’s going to happen in the regular season, especially if he and the Commanders struggle once again. It’s too late to go back in time and undo what got us to this point, but right now Daniels and his team are likely regretting starting all this in the first place.
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