You remember Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. If you followed the NFL in the mid-2010s, he was everywhere. The name alone made him a household fixture, but the guy could flat-out play. He was a ball-hawking safety who seemed to always be in the right place at the right time during those deep Green Bay playoff runs. But if you try to buy a throwback jersey today, things get kinda confusing.
The Ha Ha Clinton-Dix number history isn't just a single digit. It’s a roadmap of a career that spanned from the dynasty years at Alabama to a nomadic journey across the NFL landscape. Usually, a Pro Bowl player sticks with one identity. For Ha Ha, his number was as fluid as his role in the secondary.
The College Days: Number 6 at Alabama
Before he was a first-round pick, Ha Ha was a pillar of Nick Saban’s defense. At Alabama, he wore number 6. It’s a iconic look for him—single digits on a defensive back just looks faster, doesn't it? He won two BCS National Championships in that jersey. When people think about his "purest" form as a prospect, they’re usually picturing that crimson #6 flying across the field in Tuscaloosa. Honestly, if he could have kept it in the pros, he probably would have, but the NFL's jersey logic back then was way more restrictive.
Making a Name in Green Bay: The Number 21 Era
When the Green Bay Packers called his name with the 21st overall pick in 2014, it was a match made in heaven. Naturally, he took number 21.
It’s funny how numbers work. In Green Bay, 21 is a heavy number. You’re following guys like Charles Woodson. Ha Ha didn't shy away from it. He wore #21 for the vast majority of his career, and it's the number most fans associate with his peak. He made the Pro Bowl in 2016 wearing that jersey, racking up five interceptions that year.
But then, things got weird.
The Washington Transition
In 2018, the Packers traded him to Washington mid-season. This is where the Ha Ha Clinton-Dix number saga gets emotional. He wanted to wear #21 in D.C. to honor the late Sean Taylor, a player he idolized. However, Washington had unofficially retired #21 after Taylor’s tragic passing. Out of respect for the franchise and the fans, Clinton-Dix pivoted and chose number 20.
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He only played nine games for Washington, but seeing him in #20 always felt like a temporary fix. It was a "rental" number for a rental season.
The Journeyman Years: 21, 26, and the Practice Squads
After Washington, Ha Ha signed with the Chicago Bears in 2019. He went back to his roots and reclaimed number 21. He actually had a really solid year in Chicago—two picks, a touchdown, and over 70 tackles. If you’re a Bears fan, you probably have a #21 jersey tucked away in a closet somewhere.
Then came the "waiting game" years. He spent time with the Cowboys and 49ers without ever seeing regular-season action, often wearing various camp numbers like 49 or 27 just to fill a spot on the roster.
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When he finally got back on the field for a brief stint with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021, he was wearing number 26. Why 26? Mostly because 21 was taken by Amik Robertson at the time. By this point in his career, he was a veteran leader just looking to contribute, and the number on his back mattered a lot less than the name on the front.
All the Jersey Numbers Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Wore
To make it easy to track, here is the breakdown of the primary numbers he wore during his active years:
- Alabama: #6 (The National Championship years)
- Green Bay Packers: #21 (His Pro Bowl peak)
- Washington Redskins: #20 (A respectful nod to Sean Taylor)
- Chicago Bears: #21 (The comeback season)
- Las Vegas Raiders: #26 (The final NFL snaps)
Why the Number Matters Now
Ha Ha officially retired as a Packer in 2022. It was a cool "full circle" moment. He signed a one-day contract to make sure he went out wearing the Green and Gold. Even though he wore four different numbers across five different NFL teams (if you count the practice squad stints), he’ll always be remembered as #21 in Lambeau.
Today, he's back at Alabama working as the Director of Player Development. He's coaching up the next generation of DBs who are fighting over that #6 jersey he made famous. It’s sort of poetic. He went through the ringer of the NFL, changed his jersey more times than he probably wanted to, and ended up right back where he started.
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If you’re looking to grab a piece of memorabilia, the "correct" Ha Ha Clinton-Dix number is definitely 21 for the NFL or 6 for college. Anything else is a deep-cut for the true gridiron historians.
Next Steps for Fans:
- If you're collecting jerseys, check the sleeve patches; a Washington #20 is significantly rarer than a Green Bay #21.
- Look up his 2016 highlights to see why #21 became a feared number in the NFC North.
- Follow his work with the Alabama coaching staff to see which current Crimson Tide players are living up to the legacy of the #6 jersey.