What number will Abdul Carter wear with NY Giants? Phil Simms tells us his thoughts
Abdul Carter was denied by one New York Giants legend in his pursuit of what number he wants to wear in the NFL.
The Giants' first-round pick may be ready to accept an offer from another.
After Lawrence Taylor rebuffed Carter's request to bring his iconic No. 56 out of retirement, Phil Simms has thrown No. 11 into the ring - piquing the interest of the Giants' third overall pick in the process.
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"It would be an HONOR," Carter wrote on social media Friday morning, in response to a video during which Simms, the Super Bowl-winning quarterback and one of the greatest players in franchise history, suggested that he would not take issue with having either Carter or quarterback Jaxson Dart donning his No. 11.
Carter wore No. 11 at Penn State. Simms' No. 11 was retired by the Giants in 1995.
"I had some fun with it, and the fact that he said it'd be honor to wear, that's just him being really nice," Simms told NorthJersey.com and The Record. "Man, it'll make me re-live my days of being an outside linebacker in high school. Truly, I can't wait to see him practice. I was hoping the Giants would get him. He's gonna fit in right away with the Giants culture."
Jan 25, 1987; Pasadena, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms (11) reacts on the field against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XXI at the Rose Bowl. The Giants defeated the Broncos 39-20. Mandatory Credit: Bob Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Simms was asked directly for his reaction if Dart - who wore No. 2 at Ole Miss - wanted to wear No. 11.
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"Hey look, I told some of my friends and people around me, I'd let him have it in a second," Simms said in an interview with FanDuel TV. "Can you just help it a little and make it better or whatever? I think it'd be a lot of fun and it wouldn't bother me."
But when the conversation turned to Carter, Simms was taken aback to learn that the former Penn State star was so in tune to the possibilities. Simms said his family and agent might take issue with any decision to let someone else wear No. 11.
"I'm anxious to see or hear my children's thought about this," Simms said, referring to his sons Chris and Matt and daughter Deirdre. "What I've learned in my life - well, even when I played to a degree, they were big fans - is that they have an opinion on everything about me. So, I'll hear it from them, and it'll be yes or no. And if they say no, it'll really be like, 'No way!'"
Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter (11) celebrates after a defensive stop during the fourth quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants unretired Ray Flaherty's No. 1 last year with the blessing of his family to allow star wide receiver Malik Nabers to wear it. When the Giants retired No. 1 following the 1935 season, it was the first time a professional football team had ever retired a player's jersey number.
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By adding Carter to this defense, the Giants have created an identity with All-Pro Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux already up front. Carter, 21, plays with aggression and he's really good with his hands. This was his first year playing defensive end and on the edge, so there's no telling how good he can be with more experience at the position. His combination of athletic traits, explosiveness and potential upside is off the charts.
"He's a great kid, and he's an exceptional player," Giants coach Brian Daboll on Carter. "He's got great quickness, bend, he's hard to block. He played off the ball the year before, and he has some instincts in that area, as well, smart. Fun guy to evaluate."
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Abdul Carter: Will Giants rookie honor Phil Simms and wear his No. 11?
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