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New York Giants: Abdul Carter Seeking Another Retired Number After Being Spurned by Lawrence Taylor

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated May 2, 2025 8:27 PM ET

With the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the New York Giants decided to select Abdul Carter out of Penn State, widely regarded as the best defensive player in the draft. With Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson signed to man the quarterback position, the Giants no longer needed to take one early. That being said, they were able to nab Jaxson Dart by trading back up late in the first round.

Adding Carter with the third overall pick, based on these moves, was a no brainer. He racked up 23.0 sacks in three seasons with Penn State and had 24 tackles for loss last season.

Now, aside from preparing for the season, Carter is trying to determine what number he wants to wear in the New York. The only problem, though, is that his top two choices are retired.

New York Giants Legend Lawrence Taylor Does Not Want Abdul Carter to Wear #56

After being drafted by the Giants, Carter, a linebacker, wanted to don the number of the greatest player at his position in franchise history: number 56 which was worn by Pro Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor. The problem, however, is that Taylor refused to let his number be unretired for Carter. Instead, he encouraged the young rookie to forge his own legacy.

“I know he would love to wear that 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.”

With 56 off the table (as it should be), Carter is turning his eyes to donning his college number, 11.

The only problem, of course, is that 11 is retired, too.

New York Giants Rookie Abdul Carter Wants Phil Simms’ Number 11

According to reports, Carter would like to continue his own football legacy by wearing number 11, which he wore as a star at Penn State.

New York, though, retired 11 in honor of Phil Simms, who won two Super Bowls with the Giants during his career.

And Simms seems much more willing to allow his number to be given to the young rookie than Taylor. “I told some of my friends and people around me, ‘I’d let him have it in a second,’” Simms said. “I said, ‘Can you just help it a little and make it better, or whatever?’ I think it would be a lot of fun. It wouldn’t bother me.”

If the Giants do unretire 11 for Carter, one hopes that he will live up to the legendary status that it already holds in franchise history.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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