Phil Simms’ Family Decision Keeps No. 11 Retired, Abdul Carter’s Jersey Quest Continues

Phil Simms’ No. 11 to Stay Retired Amid Abdul Carter’s Quest for a Jersey Number

In the world of sports, jersey numbers can carry a weight of legacy and pride, especially when they belong to legends. For Abdul Carter, a rookie with the New York Giants, the journey to find a number that fits has been anything but straightforward. First, he set his sights on the iconic No. 56, famously worn by Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor. However, Taylor himself stepped in, urging Carter to forge his own path and make his own mark in the NFL.

But the story doesn’t end there. Enter Phil Simms, another Giants legend, who wore No. 11 during his illustrious career. Simms, in a surprising twist, expressed his willingness to unretire his number for Carter or fellow first-round pick Jaxson Dart. Speaking on FanDuel TV, Simms said, “I told some of my friends and people around me, ‘I’d let him have it in a second. Can you just help it a little or make it better?’ I think it would be a lot of fun. It wouldn’t bother me.”

Carter, who wore No. 11 at Penn State, was thrilled at the prospect, taking to social media to express his excitement: “It would be an HONOR.” However, the excitement was short-lived. Simms later revealed to longtime New York Daily News writer Gary Myers that he was “outvoted by his family,” and thus, his No. 11 will remain retired by the Giants.

So, where does this leave Carter? The No. 3 pick in last week’s NFL draft took to Twitter with a light-hearted response, jokingly pondering what will be on the back of his jersey once the NFL season kicks off. “Damn 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!” he tweeted.

Unretiring a number for a first-round draft pick isn’t completely foreign to the Giants. Just last year, first-round pick Malik Nabers received permission from the family of the late Ray Flaherty to wear No. 1. This precedent might have given Carter hope, but it seems the stars didn’t align for him this time around.

As the saga of jersey numbers unfolds, it highlights the deep respect and reverence for the history and legacy of the Giants’ greats. For Carter, the journey to find his number is a reminder of the rich tapestry of NFL history and the importance of carving out one’s own legacy.

• Lawrence Taylor’s No. 56 remains retired.
• Phil Simms’ No. 11 will stay retired after family decision.
• Abdul Carter continues his search for a jersey number.

In the end, the number on the jersey is just a number. What truly matters is the impact a player makes on the field and the legacy they leave behind. For Abdul Carter, the journey is just beginning, and the number he wears will soon become synonymous with his own story in the NFL.