“This is what all that hard work was for. To be on this grass, to put on this jersey, it means something.” Adonai Mitchell gave an insightful glimpse into the first day of rookie mini camp for the Indianapolis Colts. The nine drafted, seven undrafted rookies, as well as 36 other tryout players showed up for the start of rookie mini camp. This includes being sized for helmets, shoulder pads, and cleats, but also selecting a jersey number.

This was a surreal moment for most of them as Laiatu Latu said, “I couldn’t believe I was looking at my own locker, my own number on it.” Those numbers can hold significant meaning as the players launch themselves into a new chapter in their lives.

Anthony Gould picked a number the same as his birthday, but added, “Doesn’t matter if I’m in 6 or 45. I’m just happy to be here.” Latu added,  “This place has changed my life,” when asked about his new horseshoe tattoo. “It feels like home. I wanna give my all to this program.”

Latu’s selection of 97 shows his quick understanding, appreciation and donation to the history of the franchise. “I learned when I got here, the whole history of the 90s numbers,” referring to Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis and even current mate, DeForest Buckner “I got to pick either between 97 and 57 and when they told me that, I was just like ‘I’m rockin’ with the 90s.’”

The new number 10 falls to Mitchell who has a much deeper personal reason for the number as it was the amount of receivers drafted before the Colts chose him with the 52nd overall selection. He casually pointed out that “At the end of the day, it was between me and them and they got picked, so that’s all motivation.” He will wear his motivation on his chest, his back and even as a literal chip on his shoulders with his new number.

Gould added about both he and Mitchell, “I know we’re both excited to have that U on our helmet and be able to perform.” Colts fans will be excited to see them perform come September, but for now, they will get their fit right while they continue to acclimate to a new playbook, coaching staff and teammates as they also calibrate to the fact that football is now their profession.