FRISCO, Texas -- What do you get when a poultry science major from Texas A&M and someone with a finance degree from North Dakota State become teammates on the Dallas Cowboys? A number switch.
Linebacker Von Miller obtained No. 40 from fullback Hunter Luepke after a brief and interesting negotiation following the future Hall of Fame pass rusher's arrival to the Cowboys.
Luepke earned a small ownership stake in Greener Pastures Chicken, of which Miller is a co-owner, after passing on, among other things, "chicken for life."
He is now wearing No. 30.
"I would have to say it's got to be the first in National Football League history that a jersey swap has been done with ownership of a chicken farm," Miller said. "He's learned from the best with the negotiators here with the Cowboys."
Other notable co-owners of Greener Pastures Chicken? Current and former quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees and Nick Foles.
"It's the chicken of champions, so it was only right for Hunter to be a part of that too," Miller said. "He won three national championships in college. So it was a great fit for us. It was a great fit for him, and I'm happy that we were able to get it done."
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said he would not get involved in the number switch after Miller signed.
Since the NFL allowed single-digit numbers to be worn by everyone other than offensive or defensive linemen, Schottenheimer said things have become trickier. He also relayed a story from last year about a player who thought his jersey number was going to be taken from him after a veteran's arrival.
In Schottenheimer's coaching past, he has seen players trade numbers for cars and Rolex watches.
"If a guy wants a jersey bad enough and he's been around the league a while, he usually has enough capital, cash to get things done," Schottenheimer said. "And I think these guys found a way to get this thing resolved."
