Lawrence Taylor is one of the greatest linebackers to ever play the game, having amassed 132.5 sacks — 139 if you include the playoffs — over the course of a 13-year career that was played entirely in New York with the Giants.
A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, LT’s No. 56 jersey was retired shortly after he played his final down for the team in 1993, and no player has worn that iconic 56 for the Giants since. Taylor is arguably the best pass rusher in NFL history.
Abdul Carter Requested Lawrence Taylor’s Number
Abdul Carter is coming to the Big Apple from Penn State, where he collected 23 sacks over three seasons and was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year along with earning a unanimous All-American nod. The talented pass rusher certainly doesn’t lack for confidence, which has to be why he asked to wear Taylor’s number.
Carter initially raised the idea on draft night, but Taylor opted against letting the rookie take the number out of retirement. Instead, the legendary Giants sack-master encouraged the young pass rusher to find his own number and make it famous.
It’s understandable why Taylor would not want anyone else to wear 56, and for his part Carter is not upset or offended over being rejected. The newest Giant posted on X that he “spoke to LT on the phone” and that he was a “chill dude.”
Carter admitted to requesting LT’s number, referencing how he did the same thing at Penn State when he decided to wear Micah Parsons’ famed No. 11 jersey.
“I shot, if he says no, cool, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” Carter wrote. “I spoke to LT on the phone yesterday! Chill dude. Dope speaking to the 🐐 … And know for certain, 56 or not I will build my own legacy.” InshaAllah
Whatever number Carter ultimately wears, the mere fact that he had the audacity to ask about pulling 56 out of retirement rubbed some people the wrong way, specifically Colin Cowherd. He lambasted the rookie for having a total “lack of self-awareness” on a recent episode of “The Herd.”
“Just asking is a lack of self-awareness.”@ColinCowherd goes off on Abdul Carter for wanting to wear #56 despite the New York Giants already retiring it in honor of Lawrence Taylor. pic.twitter.com/gePiZI9NNm
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) May 5, 2025
“You don’t ask for Lawrence Taylor’s jersey,” Cowherd proclaimed on May 5, adding that legendary Giants QB Phil Simms offered up his retired No. 11 before his family stepped in and squashed the idea. “Here’s the thing: in life, all you young players, row your own boat. Make your own legacy. How about you learn to carry a veteran’s bag before you take his jersey.
“This screams of entitlement, it screams for lack of self-awareness. Those jerseys are retired, and it’s not like it’s just, you know, a tight end in the 50s. Lawrence Taylor is the greatest New York Giant; just asking is a lack of self-awareness.”
Some may see Carter even considering wearing Taylor’s number as a sign of respect or even supreme confidence. Others, like Cowherd, view the idea as offensive because Carter has yet to prove a thing at the professional level.
As of now, Carter still hasn’t chosen a number.
