New York Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter is asking around for retired numbers, and the NFL is taking notice.
New York Giants fans are hoping first-round edge rusher Abdul Carter has a similar impact to what receiver Malik Nabers produced in 2024. So far, he’s following in his footsteps.
It wasn’t until the end of August that Nabers knew what number he would wear for Week 1. The Giants unretired Ray Flaherty’s No. 1, giving the sixth-overall pick a unique honor that he immediately made good on. Carter, in the days after his first-round selection, isn’t quite sure what number he’ll be wearing. He, too, looked to the rafters.
There was speculation about Carter asking for Lawrence Taylor’s No. 56, which was swiftly denied. Phil Simms’ No.11 was seemingly available, too, before his family voted against it.
Many fans think it would be cool to give a high-profile prospect such an honor, but others view it as pompous. New England Patriots legends Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman ripped the Giants rookie for his retired number request on “Dudes on Dudes.”
"Was he serious asking for LT's number?" Gronkowski said. "Yeah, you were a high draft pick, but LT is an absolute legend. The best to do it. One of the best defenders of all time. Like, you gotta prove yourself.
"That's crazy. Just asking for LT's number. And I'm glad that LT shut him down like that."
Taylor told Carter to add another number to New York’s ring of honor by paving his own path to stardom.
“Get another number," Taylor said. "I don't care if it's double zero, and then make it famous.”
Edelman took great pleasure in Carter’s humbling.
“That was such a LT response,” Edelman said. “‘Go make your own freaking number, kid.’ Can we read a room? And it's not even the room, it's the football galaxy. The fact that he even asked, that's crazy to me. Maybe he'll go make another one. And people say, oh, the 11 thing. But they give everyone 11 at Penn State. No one ever puts on the 56."
Subsequently, Carter remains number-less. However, it’s worth noting that Carter’s comments and posts haven’t seemed particularly cocky. Carter has quite the pedigree, with elite athleticism, production, and film to his name. The hype is warranted, and he has taken every “no” in stride.
“D**n at this point imma be out there with just my last name on my jersey, no number. Jkjk, It’s all love. Just wanna play Football,” Carter wrote.
