Abdul Carter has finally chosen a jersey number with the New York Giants, and it is not one that required the blessing of a franchise icon.
Carter plans to wear No. 51 with the Giants, according to multiple reports. The former Penn State star will wear the number when rookie minicamp starts on Friday and is expected to stick with it going forward.
Carter, whom the Giants selected with the third overall pick in the NFL Draft last month, has faced some criticism while trying to decide on a jersey number. Like many other legendary Penn State defenders, he wore No. 11 with the Nittany Lions. That number is retired by the Giants in honor of former quarterback Phil Simms.
Simms indicated he would be open to allowing Carter to wear No. 11, but he was overruled by members of his inner circle. Carter had a funny reaction to that news.
Carter also said after he was drafted that he feels he would look good in another one of the Giants’ retired jersey numbers, which is the No. 56 that was worn by Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor. Taylor responded by telling Carter to choose his own number and make it famous.
While Carter was a star at Penn State and should have an immediate impact in the NFL, many feel he showed a sense of entitlement by even hinting that he wanted the Giants to un-retire a jersey number for him. One former NFL star was in disbelief that Carter would even ask.
By choosing No. 51, Carter has taken a piece of Taylor’s number and No. 11. It is unclear if that was intentional, but the storyline should finally fizzle out now.
