Pat Patriot might have to find a new number.
The New England Patriots mascot has donned the No. 1 since 2003, after the Pats won their first Super Bowl. He had previously worn No. 0 until a fan suggested to owner Robert Kraft it be changed ().
Now, Cam Newton will wear New England's No. 1.
Upon announcing the signing of the former NFL MVP on Wednesday, .
Newton will be just the fourth player to wear the number for New England in a regular-season game and the first non-kicker. No Pats player has sported No. 1 since Tony Franklin in 1987 (played in NE from 1984-87). John Smith (1974-83) and Eric Schubert (one game in '87) are the other two booters to wear the number.
The 31-year-old Newton wasn't even alive the last time a Patriots player wore No. 1.
Newton, who wore No. 2 at Auburn, began sporting No. 1 after becoming the first-overall pick by the Carolina Panthers in 2011. At the time, Panthers quarterback Jimmy Clausen owned No. 2 and wouldn't give it up to the rookie. Bryan Hoyer is currently No. 2 in New England.
After nine years of wearing No. 1 in Carolina, Newton will play for a new franchise for the first time. But his familiar number will remain the same.
As for where Pat Patriot could turn for a new number, 6 is available -- the same amount of Lombardi Trophies the franchise owns. Also, a certain No. 12 isn't being used either.
