Even if it is less common than in NBA, some NFL franchises have withdrawn numbers in honor of legendary players. This is the case with the Giants, whose number 56 of Lawrence Taylor is no longer available for current players.
Except that sometimes, when a player arrives in a new team and wants a withdrawn number, he kindly asks. And often, legend, magnanimous, grants a favor with the mortal.
It arrived in 2024 with the giants. Malik Nabers wanted the number 1. Except that the latter was withdrawn in honor of Ray Flaherty. The player died in 1994, but his family authorized Nabers to recover his favorite figure.
Lack of luck for Abdul Carter, Lawrence Taylor is very much alive. And above all much less cooperative.
“” He must be the best player he can be by himself. He cannot be another Lawrence Taylor ”Lawrence Taylor explained to ESPN by talking about him in the third person. “” Of course, he could be better than Lawrence Taylor, who knows? But he must create his own footprint. It's up to him to play. »»
Abdul Carter wanted to pay tribute
According to ESPN, Abdul Carter contacted Taylor via intermediaries. The latter would have responded in the negative, and still not intermediaries. But the agents of the two men then arranged a telephone call. The rake was able to become more direct, but also more friendly.
“” I hope he doesn't think: “Oh, I got drunk by LT”. No, no, that's not it. It was to say: “Hey, I'm with you!” “, Said Taylor to ESPN.
With Carter, but without leaving him the 56.
Abdul Carter wore the number 11 in college. He explained at a press conference that he is still thinking about the number he will carry in NFL. He also clarified that the desire to wear the number 56 was above all a form of homage. “I didn't mean,” I'm better than Lawrence Taylor. »» It was more to show that it is a model, that I aspire to be like him. »»
On social networks, Carter reiterated that he is not upset.
“The worst that could happen was that he said no!” My point of view does not change, LT is the best of all time. I only have respect. It will just make me work even harder! I adore. »»
Note that this year, Cam Ward was more likely than Abdul Carter. Warren Moon, legend of the Titans, authorized him to wear the number 1, however removed by the franchise of Tennessee. It is not known if he made his agreement by speaking of him in the third person. The legends are unpredictable.
