why does byu qb wear 47

BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier wears the unusual number 47 as a tribute to his early football days, when he played running back and linebacker, rather than quarterback. He kept this number even after transitioning to quarterback because it reminds him of his physical, "primitive nature" and aggressive style of play on the field, reflecting the fullback mentality he developed growing up. This makes his jersey choice a personal nod to his roots and approach to the game, setting him apart from most quarterbacks who typically choose numbers between 1 and 19.