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After well over a decade without one, the New York Giants are hoping that rookie LSU product Malik Nabers can be a true number-one wideout for years to come for a franchise that’s struggled mightily as of late. He has all the talent to be just that.
But, Nabers, who wore number 8 in college, wanted to wear number one in the NFL. There was only one problem, as that number was retired by the New York Giants years ago.
But, the New York Giants have made a huge exception, allowing Nabers to unretire the number for the upcoming season.
Here’s Sports Illustrated with more.
Malik Nabers was expected to wear the No. 9 jersey during his rookie season with the New York Giants, but that won’t be the case after all.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Giants announced that Nabers would instead be rocking with the previously retired No. 1 jersey, which belonged to franchise legend Ray Flaherty.
It’s quite a significant number change, in that Flaherty’s No. 1 jersey was the first ever retired in professional football, having been immortalized after he helped the Giants win the NFL championship in the 1934 season.
Malik Nabers released a statement through the Giants.
With permission from the family of Giants legend Ray Flaherty, Malik Nabers will wear No. 1.
Flaherty's number was the first to be retired in Pro Football History. #Giants100 pic.twitter.com/9I5BKSkIVK
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 28, 2024
The Giants are hoping that Nabers, who caught 89 passes for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns last year, can make an instant impact this year as their number-one receiver in the #1 jersey. he has a lot to live up to when it comes to wearing Ray Flaherty’s number, that’s for sure.
Flaherty was a 7-time NFL ALl-Pro selection as an end, meaning he played both tight end and defensive end, from 1926-1935, the bulk of that time having been spent with the Giants.