Study finds influence of smaller jersey numbers on perception (opens in new tab)

That is basically all this study is showing. The NFL (American football) used to subscribe to this and had strict rules over what numbers people could wear. 1-19 were reserved for the smallest players (quarterbacks, punters, and kickers). That was loosened roughly 25 years ago to allow slightly bigger players (wide receivers). They loosened it even more drastically within the last few years to allow most players to wear 0-19. It therefore isn't a surprise that people who see small numbers have a bias to think that player is smaller as that has been historically true. It would be interesting to repeat this study among younger generations of Americans and then international people who have no knowledge of the NFL. I would expect the first group would have a weaker effect and it might disappear entirely for the second group.

4 & 5 might be even heavier in some teams. But the 1-8 (forwards) will outweigh 9-15 (backs) by a lot.

Also smartest, most brave, and the best dancers etc.

At least in the NFL WRs and TEs have traditionally been in the 80s. The shift towards the teens and lower started in the mid-aughts.

A lot of LBs in the 40s and 50s. I’d qualify those more as medium sized (but meaner) uglies :)

Nobody ever wanted the 69 jersey, for some reason ...