**Abdul Carter Chooses No. 51 for New York Giants Rookie Minicamp**
Abdul Carter, the third overall pick in the NFL Draft, has officially selected No. 51 for his jersey as he prepares for rookie minicamp with the New York Giants. After attempts to wear the legendary No. 56, previously donned by Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, and No. 11, worn by Phil Simms, were unsuccessful, Carter has settled on a number that holds its own significance in Giants history.
The Giants confirmed that Carter will wear No. 51 during the upcoming minicamp, while fellow rookies Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo will wear No. 6 and No. 44, respectively. However, these numbers are subject to change as the team finalizes its roster.
Carter initially sought permission from Taylor to wear his iconic No. 56, which was retired by the Giants in 1994, but received a firm rejection. Simms later expressed willingness to allow Carter to wear his retired No. 11, a number that Carter proudly wore throughout his college career at Penn State. However, after a heated discussion among Simms’ family, that request was ultimately denied.
In a lighthearted response to the situation, Carter joked about taking the field with just his last name on his jersey, but he will instead represent the Giants with No. 51, a number that has not been widely associated with retirement.
The No. 51 jersey was last worn by edge rusher Azeez Ojulari, who has since joined the Philadelphia Eagles. The number first appeared on a Giants player in 1946, worn by Chet Gladchuk, but is most notably associated with Zak DeOssie, a long snapper who contributed to two Super Bowl victories while wearing it from 2004 to 2017.
In a recent move, the Giants unretired Ray Flaherty’s No. 1 for rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, who had worn No. 9 in college. Flaherty’s number was the first to be retired in professional football history, and his family granted permission for Nabers to wear it, leading to a record-setting rookie season with 109 receptions.
The Giants currently have 13 retired numbers honoring 14 players, with No. 14 representing both Ward Cuff and Y.A. Tittle. In a similar gesture, Warren Moon recently allowed Cam Ward to wear No. 1 with the Tennessee Titans.
As Carter embarks on his professional journey, the choice of No. 51 may pave the way for a unique legacy within the storied franchise.
**FAQ**
*What number will Abdul Carter wear for the Giants?*
Abdul Carter will wear No. 51 during his rookie minicamp with the New York Giants.
