TIFTON — With the start of each new sports season, fans are accustomed to seeing new names and faces on the fields. Graduations happen, players move up on a roster or move in.

On the gridiron this year, there are not just new names for the Tift County Blue Devils, but a new uniform number. The number is actually not new, but one that has not been around in some time.

Senior Cole Patterson wore No. 83 in 2015. This year, his jersey is No. 4.

Devil fans might remember a time when that number was in use.

Bert Jones was a rising star at wide receiver for Gene Brodie in 1991. As a junior, he caught 40 passes for about 725 yards. Eight of his catches went for touchdowns, including a game winner. His 13-yarder from Lance Williams with 1:02 lef beat Northside of Warner Robins, 31-26. Jones also caught a touchdown pass earlier in the quarter that got Tift back in it.

His efforts were honored with second team all-region. The achievement was amazing considering Jones’ build; he was listed as 5’7” and 160 pounds.

Jones was expected to be a major cog for Tift County in 1992, but that would not happen. A single car accident ended his life in Greene County May 2 of that year.

“Bert never met a stranger,” said Brodie at the time. “Everybody liked him.”

Jones’ jersey number was soon retired in his honor.

Tift head coach Ashley Anders said the number was reintroduced after he spoke with Jones’ father, Wayne Jones, a longtime coach at Berrien High.

Besides retaining Bert’s memory through the jersey number, Wayne Jones has given out scholarships in his son’s name at both Tift and Berrien. Barry Bennett was last year’s Blue Devil recipient.

Anders said he thought the move would “bring more honor to Bert.”

“I’m glad [the number] came back out,” said Jones. “I’m proud they did that.”

No. 4 is back in circulation, but will not be available for just any player. Jones and Anders agreed on criteria than a player must meet.

Anders said that the wearer must be a leader and a great team player. “Coach Jones wanted it to be a three-year letterman who played hard and had great character.” Jones said it would be a senior who would be recognized.

Patterson’s name immediately came to mind, Anders said, but added there were several Devils worthy of the honor.

Jones said the move would be a positive impact for the program. He said told Anders, “Do it. If it will help win some ballgames, do it, if it will bring more spirit.” He is familiar with Patterson, calling him “a great kid.”

“They gave it to the right guy,” he said.

Patterson picked up an additional honor Friday when Tift faced Parkview at Brodie Field. He was one of the team’s co-captains.