Phil Simms Considers Abdullah Carter’s Jersey Number
Former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms and his family are discussing the idea of the team’s first-round pick, Abdul Carter, wearing the retired No. 11 jersey. Simms mentioned he’d be open to the idea, especially since it was the number he wore during his time in college. However, his family, particularly the women, ultimately decided against it.
Phil’s son, Chris Simms, currently an analyst for NBC NFL, shared insights during a discussion where he humorously detailed the family dynamic. He could sense the strong emotions from his mother and sister during these talks, jokingly referring to “weeping tears” stemming from their involvement.
After joking around regarding the jersey decision, Chris decided to call his dad, questioning whether he would actually let Carter wear the number. To his surprise, Deidre, his sister, was also on the line, and they had a spirited exchange. Chris recounted his response, highlighting the family tension around the decision-making.
“That’s when I realized my mom and sister had a clear say in this, maybe even more than my brother and me,” Chris noted. His father, recognizing the influence of the women in their family, joked about needing to sway them to his side, but it seemingly wouldn’t happen.
Sims reflected on the importance of the number to his family, admitting that many have approached him asking not to give it away. The conversations revealed just how much this meant to them, with Chris emphasizing their emotional response. “It’s a big deal for them, and I think it really touched them deeply,” he remarked.
Abdul Carter, who was the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, faced a bit of controversy regarding the jersey number he wanted to wear. Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor had encouraged rookies to make their numbers memorable, which led Carter to consider No. 11. Now, he must choose a different number like any other player, given that No. 11 remains retired.
This situation isn’t unique to Carter; recent NFL history shows that some rookies have worn retired numbers with permission. Chris Simms also mentioned that Warren Moon had allowed the first overall pick this year to wear No. 1, which is another example of this evolving tradition.
As for Carter, now that his requests for No. 11 and No. 56 have been turned down, the NFL community is watching closely to see what he chooses next. It may seem trivial, but jersey numbers often carry significant weight and tradition, reflecting a player’s legacy in the league.
