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One is a three-time Super Bowl winner and Hall of Fame inductee. The other has - inexplicably to many - won the NFL's Most Valuable Player award twice, but has never made it to the big game.However, both are embroiled in a legal dispute over the rights to the jersey number that made them famous.
The reigning NFL MVP, Lamar Jackson, is taking on Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman over their shared No. 8 in a complaint filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Jackson, who owns or has applied for several trademarks using the number, is challenging Aikman's attempt to use "EIGHT" on apparel and bags, arguing it could confuse consumers.
Jackson's attorney filed on July 9, stating: "This could potentially cause confusion for the purchasing public, leading them to mistake whether they are buying products from Jackson or Aikman's company." The complaint emphasizes Jackson's significant investment in promoting the number 8, linking it closely with his personality and fame.
The Baltimore Ravens quarterback has filed two appeals against FL101, a company with Aikman as a director, targeting its use of "Eight" on various consumer products, including beer, beach towels, and energy drinks. FL101 owns nine trademark applications for "Eight" on a variety of products.
Both Jackson and Aikman have a deep connection to the No. 8, wearing it throughout their professional careers. Aikman wore No. 8 at UCLA and during his 12 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Jackson sported the number at Louisville. Aikman is now known as a Monday Night Football analyst for ESPN.
The battle over No. 8 heats up
Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reported that both Aikman and Jackson hold legal protection over some form of the number eight. Aikman has a beer brand called "EIGHT," while Jackson sells "Era 8" apparel. With legal protection over the number, this situation has escalated into a legal showdown. Jackson submitted his paperwork on July 9, with Aikman's response expected by August 18.
This dispute could lead to awkward encounters, especially when Jackson's Ravens appear on Monday Night Football, where Aikman serves as an analyst. The clash adds drama to their future interactions. This battle reveals that for both Aikman and Jackson, the number eight is more than a jersey number; it's a significant part of their identity and legacy.