Troy Fautanu explains choosing No. 76 jersey

The Pittsburgh Steelers recently announced the jersey numbers for the 2024 draft class this upcoming season, and Troy Fautanu will wear No. 76. Former Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats recently spoke to the first-round pick who explained why he chose a different number (55) from what he wore at Washington.

“They gave me a choice of numbers and I just thought that one was the coolest one, to be honest,” Fautanu said. “It ain’t nothing crazy, but I’m just kind of wearing the number that they gave me and ready to play football.”

According to Pro Football Reference, Chukwuma Okorafor wore No. 76 from 2018 to 2023. He’s no longer with the team as the team as he signed with the New England Patriots this offseason after the Steelers released him. Other notable Steelers to wear No. 76 are Chris Hoke (2004-2011) and Kevin Henry (1993-2000).

Troy Fautanu is a longtime fan of the Steelers

Fautanu comes to the Steelers after emerging as one of the best offensive linemen in college football. In 2023, Fautanu was named to the All-Pac 12 First Team and won the Morris Trophy which is given to the best offensive lineman in the Pac-12.

This week, Fautanu recently talked about how much he’s happy to be playing for the Steelers.

“Today, it’s like Christmas and my birthday all in one,” he said after receiving Steelers gear at the team facility, per Steelers.com. “I am like a kid all over again. But obviously, as you can see, I’m a lot bigger than I was before. Every Christmas, every birthday, I always got some Steelers stuff. I had this dartboard that was in my room for the longest time. I had a hoodie that I wore in middle school all the time. And in college, for the years that I had my car, I had a Steelers license plate.

“Now, being a member of the Steelers, it’s truly surreal. It’s almost like it was meant to be. I’m just happy.”

Fautanu also talked about helping the Steelers win the Super Bowl.

“Being able to play in a game like the National Championship back in college kind of made that want for a Super Bowl even greater,” he said. “That hunger that I had trying to get to that game and not being able to win that game really drove me in this process. So, knowing that I’m a part of an organization that has experienced championships and that they know what it looks like, I’m just ready to contribute whatever I can and wherever I can to get another one.”