"Hall of Famer questions Abdul Carter's disregard for Giants legend amidst harsh choices"
New York's Newcomer: Abdul Carter's Jersey Saga
Abdul Carter's adjusting to the cutthroat world of professional football, and it ain't just about smashing tackle after tackle. It's also gotta-have-it when it comes to wearing the number on his jersey. The top draft pick for the 2025 NFL season's been denied not once, but twice, in his quest for a specific number.
Carter initially wanted to don the No. 56 jersey, a number retired in remembrance of NFL great, Lawrence Taylor. But ol' LT swiftly nixed that idea. Unsurprisingly, New England Patriots legends Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman voiced their disbelief, with Gronk exclaiming, "Was he serious asking for LT's number?!"
Carter then set his sights on Phil Simms' No. 11, but that dream was dashed too. Tommy Myers, longtime New York Daily News writer, revealed that Simms' family vetoed the request[1].
In the face of these setbacks, Carter's taken it all in stride, jokes aside, "I might have to be out there with just my last name on my jersey, no number."
While the rejection came as a shock to some observers, the league's not entirely unfamiliar with unretiring a number for a rookie. In fact, last year's first-round pick, Malik Nabers, rocked Ray Flaherty's No. 1, with the family's blessing[2].
Tough beginnings aside, with new options at quarterback and Carter set to bolster the defense, 2025 might be the year this resilient newcomer finally gets his picked-out number, and makes his mark.
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To Retire or Not to Retire
Legendary players often ask teams to retire their numbers, symbolizing their unparalleled achievements.When a rookie requests to wear a retired number, teams usually seek the original player's approval or pay tribute to their legacy[3].
[1] - https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-WR-Carter-honor-phil-simms-232223375.html[2] - https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/giants-newcomer-carter-rejected-retired-numbers-11-56-tight-legacy-article-1.36928601[3] - https://bleacherreport.com/articles/989975-greatest-nfl-jersey-numbers-of-all-time
- Abdul Carter's journey in American football is not limited to making tackles, as he seeks a specific jersey number, previously retired in honor of NFL greats like Lawrence Taylor and Phil Simms.
- Despite his initial and second attempts to wear the numbers 56 and 11 respectively, Carter has been denied, leaving him considering options such as wearing just his last name on his jersey.
- The NFL has a history of unretiring numbers for rookies, as was the case with last year's first-round pick, Malik Nabers, who wore Ray Flaherty's No. 1 with the family's approval.
- Regardless of the rejections, Carter remains resilient and hopeful, aiming to make a mark in the NFL alongside new quarterback options and bolstering the defense in the 2025 season.
- As legendary players often request teams to retire their numbers, teams usually seek the original player's approval or pay tribute to their legacy before allowing a rookie to wear a retired number.
- With talents such as quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends continually emerging in the NFL, it remains to be seen whether Carter and other draft picks can join the ranks of all-time greats.
