The numbers are a tribute to LSU's helmet design from 1957-71, when the players' jersey numbers were also displayed on each side of the headgear. Coach Paul Dietzel introduced the helmet design in his second season at LSU in 1957, when the Tigers wore black, two-inch "NCAA style" numerals on the headgear. The size expanded to three inches in 1958, the season LSU captured its first national title.