(Photo by Paul Sancya/AP)

My friends, the world is changing. We now live in a society where a National Football League quarterback has worn the number 50 on his jersey. 

You read that right: #50. 

Teddy Bridgewater has made waves across the football world for breaking down the (now) invisible barrier that was jersey numbers for quarterbacks. 

In Saturday’s preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Bridgewater got the start, officially debuting his #50 to the world on the field. 

The reason for him picking exactly #50 is unknown, but the reason he isn’t wearing a traditional jersey number this preseason is rather simple. 

Bridgewater was a very late addition to the Detroit Lions, and as such, many of the available jersey numbers were already taken. 

His classic #5, which he has worn his whole career, was already taken by running back David Montgomery, and many other typical QB numbers were also already selected. 

So Bridgewater decided to be a silly goose and pick #50 for his preseason action.

And, true to his word, he suited up for the Lions on Saturday wearing said number. 

Now there’s a bit of a disclaimer here, no matter what you think of Bridgewater’s #50: he won’t be able to wear the number in the regular season. 

Even though the NFL has relaxed jersey numbers in recent years, it still requires quarterbacks to wear a jersey number between 1-19. 

Bridgewater, who is competing to be the man backing up starter Jared Goff, will have options in that range when the Lions make their cuts to establish the 53-man roster. 

I’ve read a lot about this very small matter because it’s definitely made its rounds across social media. 

Football purists and some people who simply hate fun (the two things are not mutually exclusive) had a very negative opinion of Teddy’s #50. 

One of several examples was a New York Post article that described it as “a step too far.” 

But amongst the people who hated it, there were also plenty who saw the fun in all of it.

For as many people who didn’t like it, there were plenty of those who did appreciate the change of pace in the rigidity of uniforms. 

Personally, I think it’s awesome. 

I love it when an athlete shows some personality and makes something unique and different. I understand why some people wouldn’t like it, it is quite the odd and unusual scene, but that’s exactly why I like it. 

Above all else, it’s a quirky little gimmick that shouldn’t be that much of a bother to anyone. But in the meantime, it’s cool to see something so different take place, even if it’s just in a preseason contest. 

If you ask me, it’s a shame we couldn’t have seen this in a regular season game.