Sometimes a number is more than just lucky.

In the world of sports, the number on an athlete’s jersey can feel like part of who they are as. That seems to be the case for Adrian Wilson, who signed a free-agent contract with the Patriots last week. The safety has worn the number 24 on his jersey for his entire career, and couldn’t fathom giving it up once he got to Foxboro.

There was just one issue: No. 24 was already being worn by someone on his new team. Kyle Arrington has been wearing the number since he signed with the Pats in 2009.

Arrington recently became a first-time father, and Wilson was willing to make the wearer of his coveted number an offer he couldn’t refuse.

“I offered him a year’s supply of Pampers,” Wilson said. “Hope he gets back to me.”

Wilson later tweeted:

[tweet https://twitter.com/adrian_wilson24/status/315220595312828417 align=’center’%5D

Arrington had an idea of his own on how to sweeten the deal, tweeting to Boston.com reporter Shalise Manza Young:

[tweet https://twitter.com/Arrington24_7/status/314788746430136321 align=’center’%5D

Wilson was drafted in the second round of the 2001 draft, and spent the following seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He has recorded 839 career tackles, 54 tackles for loss, 26 interceptions and four touchdown returns.

Thumbnail photo via Wikimedia Commons/Adrian Wilson (American football)