Following last year's draft, the New York Giants allowed first round draft pick Malik Nabers to wear the No. 1, originally retired in honor of Ray Flaherty. The Giants organization, along with Nabers, received permission from the Flaherty family to do this, but it was still a situation that felt very weird to say the least.
It must be a new tradition for the New York Giants, as their 2025 first round pick now wants the same type of courtesy for his jersey choice!
While in discussion with Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons (also a Penn State alum), Abdul Carter, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Penn State, was asked what number he was looking to wear in the pros. Parsons suggested the No. 11, given that's the number he wears, but Carter has another number in mind...
Lawrence Taylor's retired No. 56.
"I got a number in mind... No. 56 sound real good."
I just have one thing to say: is this dude serious?!
I didn't like it when the Giants allowed Nabers to wear No. 1. If a jersey is retired, it's for a reason, as that particular player put together a career with that franchise that should be remembered forever. Even though it's not a "take back," it sure felt like that when the organization put the No. 1 back in circulation.
If the Giants even attempt to make the same accommodations in this situation, it would be 10000 times worse!
Allowing someone to wear the prestigious No. 56 for the New York Giants would be the equivalent of the Chicago Bulls allowing someone to wear No. 23 or the New York Yankees giving Derek Jeter's No. 2 to someone else. It's not something that ever should be done.
Instead of catering to this new era of entitled athletes, how about they simply choose a number that isn't taken or retired and make it their own?
The fact that this even crossed Abdul Carter's thought process is mind-boggling to me. No one, and I mean, NO ONE, should ever wear the No. 56 for the New York Giants ever again.
Abdul Carter, find a new number.