Abdul Carter hasn’t performed a single down for the New York Giants, however the rookie is already making headlines for his jersey quantity.
The workforce’s high draft choose turned heads when he boldly requested Lawrence Taylor’s legendary No. 56, a request that was swiftly denied by the group.
After hanging out on not one however two retired numbers, Carter settled on sporting No. 51 as he took the sector for rookie minicamp Friday.
The quantity selection nonetheless carries delicate connections to Giants historical past, although not practically as iconic as his authentic preferences.
“After being declined to put on the numbers of New York legends Phil Simms and Lawrence Taylor, Giants rookie DE Abdul Carter will put on quantity 51 subsequent season. Carter will make his personal historical past,” reporter Dov Kleiman shared on social media.
𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: After being declined to put on the numbers of New York legends Phil Simms and Lawrence Taylor, Giants rookie DE Abdul Carter will put on quantity 51 subsequent season.
Carter will make his personal historical past 👀 pic.twitter.com/1NtUQdK7F2
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) Could 9, 2025
Carter admitted his new digits weren’t his first selection however confirmed a optimistic perspective in regards to the scenario.
“It’s going to need to develop on me,” he mentioned with a smile.
Abdul Carter says he’s “just about set” on sporting quantity 51 with the Giants
“It is going to need to develop on me somewhat bit…it is just about what we had out there, it is a good quantity” pic.twitter.com/apxuifnLcx
— Giants Movies (@SNYGiants) Could 9, 2025
The journey to No. 51 wasn’t easy for the Penn State product. In school, Carter wore No. 11, however that quantity belongs to New York Giants nice Phil Simms.
Simms revealed in a FanDuel interview that he initially thought-about letting Carter use his retired quantity.
After household discussions, nevertheless, the Simms clan determined in opposition to sharing the enduring digits.
This despatched Carter again to sq. one in his quantity hunt, with the thriller lastly resolved simply earlier than minicamp started.
Jersey numbers within the NFL carry important weight. They signify custom, excellence, and expectations.
Carter’s makes an attempt to assert two retired numbers earlier than enjoying a single snap exhibits both outstanding confidence or youthful boldness, relying on who you ask.
Some followers view it as refreshing confidence, whereas others see it as disregarding workforce historical past.
NEXT: Rob Gronkowski Sounds Off On Abdul Carter For Jersey Request