Giants' Rookie Abdul Carter Chooses No. 51 Jersey After Denied Access to Retired Legends' Numbers

New York Giants rookie Abdul Carter, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, will wear jersey No. 51 after being unable to secure Lawrence Taylor's No. 56 and Phil Simms' No. 11, both retired by the Giants. Taylor declined Carter's request, advising him to create his own legacy, while Simms' family decided against unretiring No. 11. Carter's choice of No. 51, previously worn by Azeez Ojulari, symbolizes a fresh start as he begins his NFL career.

A Quest for Iconic Digits

Abdul Carter’s jersey number journey began shortly after he was selected by the Giants in the first round. The former Penn State standout, who wore No. 11 in college—a number traditionally awarded to the Nittany Lions’ top defensive player—initially set his sights on No. 56, the number worn by Lawrence Taylor, widely regarded as the greatest defensive player in NFL history.

Carter reached out to Taylor directly to request permission to wear the retired number. Taylor, whose No. 56 was officially retired by the Giants in 1994, declined the request. In a phone conversation with ESPN, Taylor advised Carter to forge his own path: “He has to be the player that he is. 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.”

Undeterred, Carter then turned to No. 11, the number he wore at both Harrisburg High School and Penn State. That number, however, was retired in 1995 in honor of Phil Simms, who led the Giants to two Super Bowl titles and held franchise passing records until Eli Manning surpassed them. Simms expressed openness to the idea of Carter wearing his number, stating in a FanDuel TV interview, “I’d let him have it in a second.” However, the final decision rested with Simms’ family, who ultimately voted against unretiring the number.

Settling on No. 51

After being denied both No. 56 and No. 11, Carter opted for a number that symbolically bridges the two: No. 51. The number combines the first digit of Taylor’s 56 and the last digit of Simms’ 11. While the choice may seem coincidental, it also represents a fresh start and a chance for Carter to build his own legacy.

Carter acknowledged the situation with humor and humility on social media, posting, “Damn at this point imma be out there with just my last name on my jersey, no number. ... Jkjk, It’s all Love. Just wanna play Football!”

The No. 51 jersey was most recently worn by edge rusher Azeez Ojulari, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency this offseason. The number has not been retired by the Giants, meaning Carter did not need to seek special permission to wear it. Historically, the most notable Giant to wear No. 51 was long snapper Zak DeOssie, a two-time Super Bowl champion who played for the team from 2007 to 2019.

Team Policy and Historical Context

The Giants have a long-standing tradition of honoring their franchise legends by retiring jersey numbers. The team has retired 13 numbers for 14 players, including No. 56 for Taylor and No. 11 for Simms. The organization has been selective in unretiring numbers, though it made an exception last season when it brought back Ray Flaherty’s No. 1 for rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, with the Flaherty family’s blessing.

In Carter’s case, the Giants maintained their policy of preserving the sanctity of retired numbers. While Simms himself was open to the idea, the team deferred to the wishes of his family, who preferred to keep the number out of circulation.

Carter’s College Legacy and NFL Outlook

Carter arrives in New York with high expectations. At Penn State, he was a unanimous All-American in 2024 and earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors. He led the FBS in tackles for loss (24), ranked seventh in sacks (12), and was third in quarterback pressures (66). Initially playing as an off-ball linebacker, Carter transitioned to the edge in his final collegiate season, showcasing his versatility and pass-rushing prowess.

His selection at No. 3 overall underscores the Giants’ belief in his potential to become a cornerstone of their defense. By choosing No. 51, Carter now has the opportunity to make the number his own, free from the shadow of past legends.

Rookie Minicamp and Number Assignments

Carter debuted his new number at the Giants’ rookie minicamp, which began on May 9. While rookie jersey numbers are subject to change before the regular season, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Carter intends to keep No. 51 moving forward.

Other rookie number assignments include:

Jaxson Dart (QB): No. 6
Darius Alexander (DT): No. 91
Cam Skattebo (RB): No. 44
Marcus Mbow (OL): No. 71
Thomas Fidone II (TE): No. 86
Korie Black (CB): No. 25