Terrion Arnold (0) Brooke Sutton/GettyImages

Terrion Arnold reveals heartwarming reason behind jersey switch

Originally posted on Side Lion Report
By Josh Reidelbach | Last updated Apr 16, 2025 12:11 PM ET

Jersey number changes are very common in the NFL today, with players constantly changing their number as soon as the one they want becomes open, but Terrion Arnold's case is different.

Arnold is one of eight Lions to change their jersey number this offseason, alongside the likes of star running back Jahmyr Gibbs and wide receiver Jameson Williams. Jameson Williams changed to his college number, and Jahmyr Gibbs changed because he "hated 26", but there was no immediate link to Terrion Arnold and number six.

That was until a preview clip surfaced from Arnold as a guest on New Wave Pod, a podcast hosted by Alabama stars Ryan Williams and Jaylen Mbakwe. The episode has not been released yet, but a clip explaining Arnold's jersey number change was uploaded to X on Tuesday.

Terrion Arnold opens up about switching his jersey number from 0 to 6 in honor of his late Alabama teammate, Khyree Jackson.

Full Episode Premieres Tomorrow! @ArnoldTerrion @Lions @AlabamaFTBL @KirkpatrickDre @JayMbakwe pic.twitter.com/n1UB1zOiok
— New Wave Pod w/ Ryan Williams & Jaylen Mbakwe ️ (@TheNewWaveShow) April 14, 2025

"We all know what happened to my friend Khyree," said the 22-year-old Arnold. "It's that extra motivation when you look down, and I got on that six, my brother living through me."

Khyree Jackson was a teammate of Arnold's at Alabama and tragically passed away this July, shortly after being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings. Both Arnold and Jackson shared a secondary together in Tuscaloosa in 2021 and 2022, before Jackson transferred to Oregon in 2023.

Arnold sees football as more than just a game and knows the impact that the game has on others, therefore, he wanted to use this gesture to honor his friend and pay respects to his family.

"His little brother, he can go look at the screen, and say, dang man, he's wearing number six because of my big brother," Arnold said heartbreakingly. "I'm letting [his family] know at the end of the day, Terrion ain't forgot about Khyree."

In an NFL climate where jersey number changes are as common as free-agent signings, it is truly touching to see a number change that means so much to a player. Terrion Arnold looks to continue to honor the legacy of the late Khyree Jackson with a stellar sophomore season wearing number six.

This article first appeared on Side Lion Report and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: