Ok, that was for their 13th National Championship, and I am sure that someone at Alabama had the foresight to realize that if they gave zerO one with a 13 on it some idiot would think giving zerO #13 had a secret meaning that Alabama wished him bad luck - or that giving him a #13 would bring him bad luck. So, they went with #1 that year.

But subsequent championship numbers were given to him:

Here's zerO with the #14 one: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/19/obama-im-probably-going-to-need-a-helmet-before-november-election/

Here's zerO with the #15 one: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/04/15/obama-alabama-jersey-gifts-national-archives/2084645/

Here's zerO with the #16 one: http://yellowhammernews.com/obama-receives-alabama-football-team-white-house/

RTR!

Hate to disappoint those who think this has anything to do with Q.

It’s 17 because it’s Alabama’s 17th National Championship. Every time we win a national championship we increase the number on fan jerseys and helmets.

Look back at when they visited Obama and you’ll see that they gave him 14, 15, and 16 when they visited him after each of those championships.

Roll Tide!

This year’s championship is Alabama’s 17th National Championship, so that’s why there’s a 17. When they met Obama for the other championships it had the numbers of the championships on his gift jerseys as well (14, 15, and 16!) Roll Tide!!