Joe Theismann gives Dwayne Haskins blessing to wear No. 7 with Redskins

Dwayne Haskins wore No. 7 at Ohio State — a number that hasn’t been worn by a Redskin in a game since Joe Theismann’s playing days.

But if Haskins wants to wear it with Washington, that would be fine with Theismann.

In an interview with 106.7 The Fan, Theismann said Wednesday he gave Haskins his blessing for the new quarterback to wear his old number. Theismann had previously told NBC Sports Washington that he first wanted to meet Haskins before giving his approval.

The Redskins drafted Haskins last week with the 15th overall pick.

“I just got off the phone with Dwayne just a little while ago, and I told him it was OK to wear No. 7,” Theismann said. “Given him permission. Not that I feel like I needed to, but he was respectful enough to ask.”

Technically, it won’t be up to Theismann, however. It will be up to the Redskins to allow Haskins to wear the number. 

The Redskins have only officially retired one number — Sammy Baugh’s No. 33 — but they have avoided handing out a number if it was previously worn by a team legend.

Adrian Peterson, for instance, wore No. 26 when he signed with the team last year instead of No. 28, famously donned by former cornerback Darrell Green. More recently, Landon Collins agreed to wear No. 20 rather than No. 21 — which hasn’t been worn since Sean Taylor’s death in 2007.

Collins idolizes Taylor and said he would “love that burden” of wearing No. 21. But he decided against it — telling the team’s website he first wants to prove himself worthy of wearing the number.

“I’m going to take it as I’m going to prove myself and try to get the jersey next year,” said Collins, who signed a six-year, $84 million contract in the offseason.

In 2002, quarterback Danny Wuerffel briefly wore No. 7 during a few offseason practices before quickly switching to No. 17. Per Pro Football Reference, Theismann is the only Redskin to wear the number during a game in franchise history.

Theismann, of course, retired in 1985 after suffering a career-ending broken leg against the New York Giants. He played for the Redskins for 12 seasons, leading them to their first Super Bowl victory in 1983.

Asked if he’d wear the number with Washington, Haskins said Saturday, “it’s not up to me.” But the possibility clearly intrigued Haskins, as he used two emojis — the eyes emoji and the “prayers” emoji — when quote-tweeting an article about Theismann’s initial comments to NBC Sports Washington.

Haskins also told the NFL Network he had to talk with Theismann first before wearing No. 7.

Theismann said Wednesday the two had a nice conversation and that it was important to Haskins. 

“Hey, I want the kid to be successful,” Theismann said. “He doesn’t need to worry about, ‘Well, I wish I could’ve worn a different jersey. I wish I could’ve worn a number.’ If this is one less thing that puts any problems out there or issues out there for him or statements or comments, let’s make his life as easy possible, so that we can get the success from him that we’re hoping and expecting.”