New Cowboys wide receiver Allen Hurns said his new jersey number, 17, is his way of memorializing the 17 victims of the victims of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas school shooting in Florida last month.

He revealed the reason in a Monday interview with 105.3 The Fan's Shan and RJ show.

The hosts asked Hurns, who said he's leaving No. 88 to Dez Bryant, if 17 signified that one plus seven equals eight, and he said that's part of it, but the Stoneman connection was larger.

"The Douglas shooting that was in Florida, 17 people lost their lives, so I chose that number," Hurns said.

Hurns is a Floridian through and through. He was born in Miami, went to high school at Miami Carol City and played college ball with the Hurricanes before beginning his NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, so the school shooting hits close to home for him.

As far as Hurns' old jersey number: "That 88, there wasn't a doubt, I wasn't trying to get that or anything like that. That's all Dez."

Other highlights from the interview:

Have the Cowboys told you anything about Bryant's future with the team?

They haven't told me anything otherwise. I'm excited to get to run with Dez. He reached out to me and we've been talking. I'm excited to get to work with him when I get back.

What do you see in Dak Prescott?

I see a lot in him. ... On my visit he was the one guy I saw in the weight room. That shows how dedicated he is and his approach to the game. I'm excited to get to work with him. He texted me once he found out I was coming, so I'm sure me and him will get on the same page quickly.

What was your perception of the Cowboys from the outside?

They have a lot of talent, a lot of young guys headed in the right direction. As far as last year, they had a whole lot going on with the Zeke thing and the injuries. But I'm very excited. Everybody knows what they're capable of, it's just that we've got to all get on the same page and everybody stay as healthy as possible. I talked to Dez, he didn't have his best year last year, and that's the same for me. I told him that people tend to forget what we're capable of, and it's time to show them.

Describe your game.

I'm a guy that can do it all. I'm not scared to go over the middle, I play inside and outside. I'm going to be consistent, that's what I bring to the table. Hopefully I don't go through injuries, but I'm a guy who's played through injuries throughout my career. Hopefully I get over that hump this year as far as the injury aspect. I'm ready to make a lot of plays and play at a high level each and every game this year.

What do you say to fans concerned about the games you missed with injuries/your toughness?

That won't be a problem. I've done a lot to take care of my body, get my diet right, everything like that. I'm trying to do everything I can to prevent it. Unfortunately in the game we play in, you're gonna have injuries. Hopefully I can get over that hump. As far as if there's anything I can control, you better believe any day I'm going to try to be out there on that field whether it's practice or a game. And all my teammate that have played with me know that. ... My main goal this year is to play every single game at a high level.

What's in your diet?

I'm a big chicken guy. I love eating chicken. I'm allergic to seafood, so I don't eat seafood. Steaks, I'm trying to stay away from that. But my favorite dish is spaghetti. When I came to the cafeteria, I was surprised at all the kinds of food that they had there. Also just trying to get familiar with the city, hopefully I find some good restaurants I'd like to go to.

On your visit to Frisco, did the team's cafeteria at The Star stand out?

Everything stood out. I was in awe the whole visit, just the facilities, everything, the weight room, all of it. It's something that you don't see no matter where you've been. I've been just with Jacksonville, but I've heard a lot of places are a lot worse. Just seeing the facilities, it shows how much they invest in the team, so hopefully we get a return and have a big year.

Did they sell you on the juice bar right outside the weight room?

I thought that was pretty unique. That goes to how much they invest in it. They show that they want you to be your best, and they put things around you for you to be able to do that. That meant a lot to me. The juice bar, I feel like that's great coming out of a workout and getting something right back in you.

You're a South Florida guy and went to Miami for college. Have you heard from ex-Cowboys Michael Irvin or Barry Church since signing?

I've heard from Barry. Dak reached out to me, Dez. Other guys like Cole Beasley, Terrance Williams, there's been a lot of guys reaching out. So I'm excited about this journey. They just told me about the market here in Dallas, just making the right decisions and staying level-headed. So I appreciate those guys for that. Main thing for me is I've just got to come in and make plays, and everything else will take care of itself.

Who really sold you on the offensive fit? Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan? New WR coach Sanjay Lal? Jason Garrett? Some combo?

It was a combo. Scott, I met with him and the meeting went very well. Sanjay, I think I really connected with him, just me spending that hour with him, I've learned so much as far as that's a guy that's gonna push me to bring out the best in me. He's very detail-oriented, and I think I really need that. He just showed me what he's really capable of. He didn't show me everything because he didn't know if I was going to be there or not. But it was great. I feel like I can learn a lot from him, and I'm excited to go to work with him.

How many new Twitter followers have you gained since joining the Cowboys?

I don't know how many followers I've gained, but it's been a lot, not even just since I signed, but from the moment I got released, my notifications have been going crazy with Dallas fans. They've even been on my mom's page. It's been exciting. Those guys have been hitting me up nonstop, so I'm feeling the love. Main thing I know is that I've just got to come in and make plays. If I don't, it'll get pretty bad. But I'm not worried about that at all. The fans, they've been showing me mad love, so I'm excited to get to work.

What kind of talk have you had with mom about social media activity?

I told her if she wants to search it and read those things, keep it to herself. Don't bring it to me. I'm not one of those guys who looks [myself] up and see what people are saying about me. For me, I just try to stay as positive as I can. She know. She's one who like to look into everything, but I stay away from that.