Lawrence Taylor sacks Abdul Carter’s request to put on his retired No. 56 with Giants

Abdul Carter gave it a shot, figuring he had nothing to lose.

Certain, Lawrence Taylor’s No. 56 is retired by the New York Giants and is among the most revered jersey numbers in franchise historical past. However Carter, the third total decide within the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday evening, idolizes Taylor and wished to see if he’d be cool with him going after quarterbacks all these years later whereas sporting that acquainted quantity.

Properly, L.T. sacked these desires rapidly.

Taylor heard of Carter’s request and, whereas honored, thinks the previous Penn State move rusher must do a quantity on opposing offenses in one thing aside from No. 56.

“He must be the participant that he’s,” Taylor instructed ESPN. “He can’t be one other Lawrence Taylor. Properly, he could also be higher than a Lawrence Taylor. Who is aware of? However he has to make his mark. It’s as much as him.”

Carter wore No. 11 at Penn State — however that quantity can be retired by the Giants in honor of quarterback Phil Simms.

[MORE: He’s not a QB but Abdul Carter is the franchise player the Giants need]

Carter posted a photograph on social media throughout his pre-draft go to on the Giants’ facility a number of weeks in the past of an image of Taylor hanging within the corridor and spoke after he was chosen about how he typically watches YouTube movies of the Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer, who’s thought of probably the most dominant defensive gamers in NFL historical past.

“The worst factor he may say was NO!!” Carter posted on X late Friday evening. “My stance don’t change, LT is the (goat emoji). nothing however respect… This simply gonna make me work even more durable!! I adore it.”

Carter led the nation with 23.5 tackles for loss and had 12 sacks final season for Penn State. He bolsters a Giants protection that already has strong move rushers in Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns and a powerful D-line that features Professional Bowler Dexter Lawrence.

“Including me to that group, it’s going to be dope,” Carter stated after he was drafted. “It’s going to be essentially the most dominant group.”

Taylor can admire that, and he is rooting for Carter — simply in a distinct quantity than 56.

“I do know he would like to put on that quantity, however hey, I feel it’s retired,” Taylor instructed the New York Publish. “Get one other quantity, I don’t care if it’s double zero, after which make it well-known.”

There may be some precedent for Giants gamers to put on retired numbers. Extensive receiver Malik Nabers, New York’s first-rounder final yr, requested to put on No. 1 — which was worn by Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer Ray Flaherty within the Nineteen Thirties. Flaherty’s household gave Nabers permission to put on his quantity.

Cam Ward, the primary total decide by Tennessee on Thursday evening, obtained a shock the subsequent day when Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer Warren Moon confirmed up for his introductory information convention and gave him permission to put on his retired No. 1.

Reporting by The Related Press.

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