New York Giants' Joe Schoen called Phil Simms about No. 11 before family rejection
New York Giants' Joe Schoen called Phil Simms about No. 11 before family rejection
We now know that New York Giants top pick Abdul Carter will not be wearing any previously retired jersey numbers when the season begins.
Carter had been pondering the possibility of wearing his uniform number at Penn State (No. 11), which is retired for Phil Simms, or perhaps in No. 56, the number retired in honor of Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor.
Taylor told Carter to find another number and go create his own legacy -- "go make it famous" -- which put pressure on Simms, who initially acquiesced. Simms' family reportedly brought him to his senses and convinced him to reject Carter's request.
But what wasn't known was that Giants general Manager Joe Schoen also contacted Simms in an attempt to convince the Super Bowl XXI MVP to allow Carter to wear his number.
Schoen's role was confirmed by Simms' son, Chris, who is an NBC Sports studio analyst. Chris Simms confirmed in his program Pro Football Talk with Mike Florio, that Schoen was in contact with his dad over permission for Carter to use his No. 11.
Just when it appeared that Simms, who separately heard from G.M. Joe Schoen on the issue, would agree to let Carter wear the number, Simms's family intervened. Specifically, his wife and his daughter made the push to change Phil's mind.
The younger Simms believed that Schoen's call to Phil Simms was basically a courtesy call; that the Giants were ready to permit Carter to wear the number since he and his dad were in favor of it.
Chris Simms then had a conversation with his sister and mother, who were against the idea. He said they "had one more vote than me" and the final decision to reject the idea was made.
What number Carter will eventually be assigned now is unknown. Perhaps we'll find out this weekend when the rookies take the field at minicamp.
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