Carter surrenders: Giants’ star prospect chooses number 51, and Simms’ 11 remains untouchable!

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Abdul Carter has chosen the number 51 to wear with the New York Giants, after considering the retired numbers of legends Lawrence Taylor and Phil Simms.

Carter asked Taylor to use his famous number 56 after being selected in the third overall position in the NFL draft last month, but his request was rejected.

Then, he considered using Simms’ number 11, but the retired quarterback’s family decided to keep it out of circulation.

Finally, Carter opted for 51, taking a digit from each of the numbers considered. This number was previously used by outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason.

Carter wore the famous number 11 at Penn State, which is assigned to the team’s best linebacker or defensive lineman. He played linebacker in his first two years before moving to the outside linebacker position, finishing with 12 sacks last season.

Number 11 is retired with the Giants in honor of Simms, who was part of two Super Bowl-winning teams in New York. This led Carter to the idea of asking Taylor, considered by many the best defensive player of all time, for his number.

He has to be the player that he is. He can’t be another Lawrence Taylor. Well, he may be better than Lawrence Taylor, who knows. But he has to make his mark. It’s up to him.

Taylor

Simms indicated that he would be open to giving up his number to Carter if he requested it. Carter suggested that it could be a possibility, but then it was revealed that Simms’ family decided that the number 11 should remain retired.

At that moment, choosing a non-retired number seemed to be the best option.

Abdul Carter’s Post

Carter and the Giants’ rookies will take the field in their new uniforms during rookie minicamp on Friday. Carter will wear number 51. Jaxson Dart, the other first-round pick, will wear number 6.

Dart wore the number 2 at Ole Miss and in high school. That number is currently worn by Giants cornerback Deonte Banks.

Other notable numbers include fourth-round running back Cam Skattebo, who will wear number 44 with the Giants.