Keenan Allen’s old No. 13 was given away in Los Angeles to Marquez Valdes-Scantling this week, but the newly signed Charger said on Thursday the move was not exactly his idea.
During an exclusive interview with the California Post, Valdes-Scantling explained the ex-Bolts wide receiver’s iconic former digits were simply all that were left.
“There was just no availability,” he said. “Obviously, you get here in Week 1, there’s not many openings. I think every number was taken or retired.”
Nos. 0-10 are currently occupied by players already on the Chargers’ roster. And the only numbers that were free from 10-19 and 80-89 — excluding ones the franchise has retired — were Nos. 13, 17 and 85.
So when it came down to giving away a number that had previously belonged to Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates or Allen, it was Allen’s whose got sent off first.
Valdes-Scantling, though, offered nothing but praise for Allen when talking about the receiver and his ex-uniform following Thursday’s practice.
“He is the best receiver that has ever come through this organization and obviously everything that he has done, that number will be retired at some point,” Valdes-Scantling said.
Allen was picked by the Chargers in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft and he went on to have a Hall of Fame-worthy career for the team. In 12 seasons, he logged 985 receptions for 11,307 yards and 63 touchdowns.
He, however, is currently an Indianapolis Colt wearing No. 10 — which perhaps made the Chargers’ number problem a bit easier to solve.
Meanwhile, Valdes-Scantling was signed this week after Ladd McConkey was diagnosed with a rib injury, and while Valdes-Scantling said he’s not trying to replace the LA star, he said he’s hopeful he can have an immediate impact with his new team.
“I’m an experienced player,” he said, “that can help provide some leadership to this room.”
