5:04 am | September 3, 2019 | Go to Source | Author:
8:21 AM ET
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn gave rookie running back Qadree Ollison permission to switch numbers from No. 32 to No. 30 so Ollison could honor his late brother, who was slain in 2017.
Ollison’s older brother, LeRowne Harris, wore No. 30 as a youth league standout in Niagara Falls, New York. Ollison switched from No. 37 to No. 30 at Pittsburgh last season in memory of Harris, who was shot three times — twice in the back — in a gas station parking lot. Harris was 35.
It was Quinn’s idea to approach Ollison about the number change following Monday’s practice. The number became available after the Falcons waived fullback Ricky Ortiz with an injury settlement.
Ollison said he appreciated his coach’s kind gesture.
“They’ve got to call and ask the league, but [Quinn] said it shouldn’t be a problem,” Ollison told ESPN. “A number is a number, but this means a little bit more to me. It’s going to be really nice to have that. It’s going to be exciting for everybody, just wearing that number and what it represent to me and my family.”