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Abdul Carter runs out of retired numbers to choose from.
New York Giants chose the much-proclaimed Kantrusher out of the Penn State with the third overall choice and shot after the moon with its first request for Jersey number.
Carter asked Lawrence Taylor, perhaps the biggest gigantic and defensive player ever if he could carry his No. 56, which was withdrawn by Giants in 1994. It was a hard no from LT himself.
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Phil Simms and Abdul Carter (IMagn)
“I know he would love to carry this number,” Taylor said. “But hey, I think it’s retired. Get another number. I don’t care if it’s double zero, and then make it famous.”
Former Quarterback Phil Simms then said he would allow Carter to bear his No. 11, which was retired by Giants in 1995.
Carter wore the number throughout his career in Penn State. It is an honorary emblem at the school given to a player that the school and the last representative feel is worthy. The previous Nittany Lion to carry it before Carter was Micah Parsons who now wears it with Dallas Cowboys.
Carter said it would be an “honor”, but Simms’ family is actually shutting it down.
LongTime New York sports writer Gary Myers posted on X that Simms told him his own family “surpassed” him.
Phil Simms participates in Paramount on 2022 on 666 Madison Avenue on May 18, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Filmmagic)
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When he heard the news, Carter joked that he would “be out there with just my last name on my jersey, no number.”
Last season, the team was non-retired Ray Flaherty No. 1 for wide receiver Malik Nabers, who wore No. 9 through college. Flaherty’s number pension was the first in professional football history. Flaherty’s family gave Giants permission to non-pension on the number of Nabers, who carried it well. Nabers set like a rookie franchise record for most receptions in a season with 109.
Abdul Carter, No. 11 from Penn State Nittany Lions, celebrates after a sack against Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Beaver Stadium on November 30, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The G-Men has 13 retired numbers for 14 players. (No. 14 is for Ward Cuff and Ya Tittle.) Warren Moon recently gave Cam Ward permission to carry No. 1 with Tennessee Titans.
