The New York Giants’ first-round pick has been on a mission to find a number to begin his pro career, but has been denied at every turn since the pick was made.
After being rebuffed by Lawrence Taylor for No. 56 and Phil Simms’ family for No. 11, the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft will don a number that gets the best of both worlds – No. 51.
It’s been a highly-publicized journey thus far for the Penn State product, who first made headlines after expressing his desire to wear Taylor’s retired No. 56.
‘I don’t know, 56 sound real good, but we gotta have a conversation,’ Carter told Bleacher Report after hearing his name called on draft night.
The Hall of Fame linebacker wasn’t a fan of the request, instead suggesting that Carter should create his own legacy.
‘He has to be the player that he is,’ Taylor told ESPN. ‘He can’t be another Lawrence Taylor. Well, he may be better than a Lawrence Taylor, who knows. But he has to make his mark. It’s up to him.’
While Taylor preferred to keep 56 retired, Simms took a different approach.
The two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback said on FanDuel TV that he would be open to unretiring his No. 11 for Carter or fellow rookie, Jaxson Dart.
‘I told some of my friends and people around me, ‘I’d let him have it in a second. Can you just help it a little or make it better?” Simms said. ‘I think it would be a lot of fun. It wouldn’t bother me.’
Carter posted on social media, saying it would be an honor if Simms and his family would allow it. Simms’ family outvoted the quarterback, he told longtime New York Daily News writer Gary Myers, meaning No. 11 will stay retired for the Giants.
The rookie’s selection of an unretired number ensures that he’s working with a blank slate. Now it’s on Carter to make it mean something.
