Inside The Bills

Why Orton wears number 18

He hasn’t worn 18 for his entire NFL career, but whenever the number has been available Kyle Orton has made sure that 18 is on his back. Here’s why.

Growing up Orton idolized Nebraska QB Brook Berringer, who stepped in for an injured Tommie Frazier back in 1995 and won eight straight games before the job was controversially handed back to Frazier. The Cornhuskers went on to win the national title that season in a 62-24 throttling of #2 Florida.

Tragically just days before the 1996 NFL draft, Berringer died when a small plane he was piloting crashed north of Lincoln, Nebraska. Berringer wore number 18, and Orton wore it as a fan of his since his high school days. He obviously still does now.

Tonight following Nebraska’s game against Northwestern, Berringer’s star-crossed college career and life will be covered in a documentary titled’Unbeaten.’ It’s scheduled to air at 10:30 pm ET. Orton was interviewed and makes a brief appearance in the documentary. Here’s a sneak peek at the program.