New York Giants rookie first-round pick Abdul Carter caused quite a stir with one of his first actions as a Giant, requesting to wear Lawrence Taylor’s iconic No. 56. The request was promptly denied, and Marcus Spears has since weighed in.
Abdul Carter Wants a Legendary Number in New York
Abdul Carter had a tremendous career with the Penn State Nittany Lions. He enjoyed a major breakout year in 2024, with 52 QB pressures and 12 sacks, as well as a couple of forced fumbles. After he was drafted, Carter immediately joined Micah Parsons live on Bleacher Report’s draft coverage.
Both players wore No. 11 at Penn State, and Parsons kept that number when the Dallas Cowboys selected him. In New York, the No. 11 is retired with quarterback Phil Simms.
Parsons asked: “You gonna get that 11 right?”
Carter responded by saying: “I don’t know, but I’ve got a different number in mind… 56 sounds real good, but we’ve got to have a conversation.”
Carter hadn’t been a Giant for more than five minutes before he requested Lawrence Taylor’s retired jersey number, something the internet has chimed in on relentlessly since it happened.
On ESPN, Marcus Spears had a few words for the rookie. While chuckling, he said:
“The nerve of him to ask for that number is wildly inappropriate. Bro, you don’t even want that type of pressure. There is a 1% of the 1% in the NFL, and he (Lawrence Taylor) is that 1%. Stay away from that number, bro.”
“Stay away from that number bro.”@mspears96's advice to Abdul Carter after being denied to wear Lawrence Taylor’s No. 56 😬 pic.twitter.com/gmabd0HUAJ
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) May 5, 2025
Lawrence Taylor was direct in his answer to Carter’s request:
“I know he would love to wear that number, but hey, I think it’s retired. Get another number, I don’t care if it’s double zero, and then make it famous.”
The dominant disruptor was seen as a consensus top-five draft pick, and the New York Giants didn’t flinch in taking the best player available. He now joins a growing defense with a lot of inbound talent, in what could quickly become part of a new identity for a struggling Giants franchise.
Carter Went After Another Retired Number in New York
Carter took the no from Taylor and promptly pivoted back to his college number. Phil Simms had been asked if he would give the first-rounder his #11, to which the Giants’ legendary quarterback said he would do so gladly.
The third overall pick then quoted that tweet, saying it would be an honor to wear the number. That seemed to be the plan until Simms’ family stepped in and refused him the right to give up his retired jersey.
Carter is still on the hunt for a jersey number with the Giants, in what has quickly become the most talked-about number allocation in the NFL draft. It’s not over yet, but what is clear is that the first-rounder will have to build his own legacy in a different jersey number in New York.