Lamar Jackson Fights NFL Legend Troy Aikman Over Trademark Of No. 8

Lamar Jackson and Troy Aikman are engaged a legal battle regarding a trademark over their jersey number – number eight. The Ravens’ quarterback filed two lawsuits against FL101, a company that lists Aikman as a director.

Since Aikman spells out the number as “EIGHT,” Jackson’s attorney noted that it would be “likely that confusion arises, or customers may be deceived” when potential customers shop for merchandise as they wouldn’t know if they were buying from Jackson’s or Aikman’s company. The cases are centered around clothing and bags though FL101 has towels and beer with “EIGHT” written on them.

The filing states that Jackson “has expended considerable time, effort and expense in promoting and popularizing the number eight with his personality and fame” and “is well-known by this number due to his notoriety and fame.”

Both quarterbacks wore number eight since their college days as Jackson used the number during his tenure at Louisville, winning a Heisman Trophy in his stint while Aikman used the number during his UCLA career, also winning a Heisman. Jackson’s attorney claims that the Cowboys’ legend’s products are “highly similar in sound, appearance and commercial impression” to Jackson’s. Kobe Bryant and Alex Ovechkin are other legends that utilized the number during their careers.

The UCLA Bruins retired Aikman’s jersey – however, no Dallas Cowboy has worn number eight on their jersey since Aikman. The former Cowboy won three Super Bowls and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXVII. Jackson has yet to play in the big game, even though his jersey was retired by Louisville. Jackson has to MVP awards to his name, earning him the nod of being the youngest quarterback to win the award twice.