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The New York Giants have solidified the spotlight as one of Pennsylvania’s Abdul Carter as one of the best players to wear the jersey, finishing third overall with their dream of being in their Ring of Honor one day.
But the jersey doesn’t feature number 56 as he wishes.
Number 56 belonged to perhaps the greatest defensive weapon the NFL has ever seen: Lawrence Taylor. He retired to the Giants in 1994 to honor the Hall of Fame linebacker, and despite Carter mentioning his desire to wear it, he intends to keep it that way.
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The NFL Commissioner points out Edge Rush Abdul Carter to New York Giants fans after the Giants chose Carter on their third pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Thursday, April 24, 2025. The draft will run until April 26th. (Tork Mason/USA Today Network-Wisconsin)
However, Carter uses Lawrence’s “get another number” comment to use it as fuel for his own fire as he heads into the rookie campaign alongside Big Blue.
“The worst thing he could say was no!! My stance remains the same, LT [goat emoji]. I have nothing but respect… this is going to make me work even harder! I love it,” he wrote to X.
Carter’s comments come from Taylor being asked about Pennsylvania products shortly after it was drafted by New York.
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He spoke with fellow members of the Dallas Cowboys star edge rushing Nittany Lion Mika Parsons. Parsons and Carter both wore No. 11 in Pennsylvania, so the former asked the latter if they would carry that tradition to the NFL.
The problem with that number is seeing former Giants quarterback Phil Sims retire for him as well, but Carter said he’s instead focusing on Taylor’s 56th issue.
New York Post I asked Taylor about Carter’s potential numbers request, but it was clear he wouldn’t share it.
New York Giants’ first round draft picks, Abdul Carter and Jackson Dart, will take photos before the press conference begins. (Thomas Salus-imagn image)
“He wants to wear that number,” Taylor said. “But hey, I think it’s retired. Get another number. I don’t care if it’s double zero or not, and I’ll make it famous.”
Wide receiver Malik Narvers, the Giants’ previous first-round draft pick, has been blessed to wear the number one retired from Ray Flaherty’s family this past season. Therefore, franchise requests are not common.
However, Taylor hopes that Carter will build his own path in the NFL, and that Giants fans will remember him for his own back number.
Of course, Carter wants to bring Taylor’s career closer remotely.
After Lawrence Taylor tells Abdul Carter to “get another number,” the Giants’ first round pick uses it as fuel. (image)
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He was 10 times a Pro Bowler, 2 times a Super Bowl champion, 1986 league MVP and 3 times an AP defensive player of the year over 13 seasons in the league.
Taylor scored 142 career sacks in 184 games after being second overall in the 1981 NFL Draft for North Carolina.
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