Giants' Malik Nabers Shares His 'Welcome to the NFL' Moment
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers had a stellar Pro-Bowl season last year as a rookie.
The LSU product selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft hauled in 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns, quickly asserting himself as the Giants' franchise receiver.
Advertisement
The Giants didn't see much team success in Nabers' rookie season, but the youngster had many memorable moments ... good and bad.
Every rookie enters Week 1 waiting for the time when they get popped hard on a tackle, usually rattling them for a second before they compose themselves for the next play. This is a "welcome to the NFL" moment, where boys become men.
In Bleacher Report's latest episode of "Taking Laps with Dale Earnhardt Jr.", a show where the NASCAR legend races around a track with a passengers telling stories, Nabers detailed one hit early in the season. It came in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders.
"I ran like a shallow ... I caught the ball and I was going up the field on the right sideline and one of the linebackers, he came and hit me," Nabers recalled.
Advertisement
"Really, I had seen him in my peripheral, but it's like, I thought he was farther than I expected ... He just magically just appeared right there. He smacked me, I ain't gonna lie ... He hit me, I popped right up and I was like 'Okay, alright, now I'm in the league.'"
Here is a replay of the moment. Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu was the one who put Nabers on the turf.
Credit to Nabers, he was able to keep his composure and get up in a hurry to celebrate with some trash talk.
That game was one of Nabers' best performances of the season. He caught 10 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown. It would turn out to be the first of just three games where the star wideout had at least 10 receptions and at least 100 yards receiving.
Advertisement
In the end, Washington would have the last laugh, winning the game 21-18.
Nabers is pace to be the Giants' best young receiver since a spry Odell Beckham Jr. came out of LSU and played in the Big Apple.
There will be a different quarterback throwing Nabers the ball this season, as Daniel Jones left in free agency and New York assembled a unit of Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston and first-round pick Jaxson Dart.
One thing is for certain, rivals in the NFC East will continue to bring the heat on the Giants' prized young star.
But now he's ready for it.
Related: Analyst Predicts Giants QB Battle Takes New Turn in Camp
Related: Giants' Tyrone Tracy Reveals One Word To Describe Major Goal and Plan of Attack
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
‘He Can't Knock Me Out' – UFC Star Fires a Brutal Message at Topuria After UFC 317
'He Can't Knock Me Out' – UFC Star Fires a Brutal Message at Topuria After UFC 317 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. UFC 317 delivered on the hype, especially in its main event. Ilia Topuria needed just one round to defend his title in devastating fashion, landing a thunderous right hook that sent Charles Oliveira crashing to the canvas. The highlight-reel knockout silenced critics, stunned the crowd, and set social media ablaze. But while most of the MMA world was singing Topuria's praises, one rising star wasn't clapping—he was calling him out. Advertisement Following Topuria's dominant win over the always-dangerous Oliveira, undefeated contender Paddy Pimblett wasted no time making his voice heard. Ilia TopuriaGetty Images In a video shared by UFC Europe and reposted by Championship Rounds, Pimblett unleashed a fiery response that dripped with defiance: 'Ilia's just said in the cage that he's going to submit me. He won't do that. He said it because he knows he can't knock me out. I will put that little b*tch in his place. Get it booked!' Pimblett said, his expression stern and voice sharp, clearly fired up after the event. It was vintage Paddy—loud, brash, and impossible to ignore. While Arman Tsarukyan may hold the technical title of No. 1 contender, Pimblett is aiming for something else entirely: the spotlight. And with both fighters boasting massive fanbases and a shared history of trading verbal jabs, the UFC could be tempted to book the matchup fans didn't know they needed. Advertisement Whether it's a detour from the rankings or a fast-track to fireworks, one thing's for sure—Paddy Pimblett is ready to test the power behind Topuria's right hand. And if his words are any indication, he's not backing down one inch. Related: 'He Needs to Be Humbled' – Fans Slam Topuria's Premature Celebration Ahead of UFC 317 Related: Undefeated Prospect Released After Massive Weight Miss at UFC 317 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jake Paul Calls Out Dana White Over Fighter's Health Emergency: ‘Where's the Help?'
Jake Paul Calls Out Dana White Over Fighter's Health Emergency: 'Where's the Help?' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Jake Paul walked out of Anaheim, California, with another victory under his belt this past Saturday, earning a unanimous decision win over the battle-tested Julio César Chávez Jr. The bout marked another milestone in Paul's evolving boxing career—but it was what happened after the fight that left a deeper impression. Advertisement Jake Paul Getty Images At the post-fight press conference, Paul ditched the usual victory lap and turned his energy toward something far heavier: a former rival in desperate need of help. After the win, Paul stepped to the mic and surprised the crowd: 'Say a prayer for Ben Askren and his family,' he said, with a tone that felt more personal than promotional. Paul didn't sugarcoat it, in a moment also captured by MMA Junkie: 'None of these people like Dana (White) are stepping in, so I feel like I have to do something.' Ben Askren is now facing a critical health crisis that has stunned much of the combat sports world. He's in need of a double lung transplant—a procedure typically reserved for patients with severe, end-stage respiratory failure. According to Jake Paul, Askren's insurance claim for the transplant was denied, leaving him in a dire situation without proper medical support. Paul has pledged financial help and is calling on others in the MMA community to rally behind a fighter once known for his toughness, now battling for his life. Advertisement Love or hate Jake Paul, Saturday night was a reminder that sometimes the loudest voices are the ones willing to speak up when it actually matters. Related: 'He Needs to Be Humbled' – Fans Slam Topuria's Premature Celebration Ahead of UFC 317 Related: 'He Can't Knock Me Out' – UFC Star Fires a Brutal Message at Topuria After UFC 317 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump Proposes UFC Event in Wild Location
Trump Proposes UFC Event in Wild Location originally appeared on Athlon Sports. President Donald Trump's relationship with the UFC is well-documented. He has attended multiple events, and fighters like Conor McGregor have visited him at the White House, reinforcing the alliance between the MMA promotion and his political brand. The UFC's massive popularity, especially among younger male demographics, makes it a centerpiece for Trump and his supporters, who include the UFC's CEO and President, Dana White. Advertisement Now, Trump has floated a bold and unconventional idea to celebrate America's upcoming 250th anniversary: a UFC championship fight on the White House grounds. Donald Trump and Dana WhiteEd Mulholland-GettyImages During a speech at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Trump revealed his desire for a large-scale event featuring a UFC fight with up to 25,000 spectators as part of the "America250" festivities. 'Does anybody watch UFC? The great Dana White? We're going to have a UFC fight. We're going to have a UFC fight, think of this, on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there,' Trump said. While the announcement energized Trump's supporters, the feasibility and appropriateness of hosting a violent combat sport on White House property were clearly not in the president's consideration. The White House has never before been used as a venue for a pay-per-view sporting event, let alone a sport with a fan base as rowdy as MMA. Advertisement Overlooked in his proclamation were the logistical hurdles, including Secret Service approvals and crowd control, that could make the plan more aspirational than practical. The UFC's involvement adds another layer of controversy. While the organization has grown into a mainstream sports powerhouse, it has also faced criticism over fighter pay, benefits, and overall dwindling quality. As of now, the proposal lacks concrete details, and the idea is likely nothing more than mere political theater. Given Trump's history of controversy, however, the possibility cannot be entirely ruled out. Related: The UFC Could Be On The Verge Of A Huge Partnership Related: Dana White & Mark Zuckerberg Announce UFC-Meta Partnership: Enhanced Fan Experience, But at What Cost to Fighters? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
