The New York Giants are taking a daring step for rookie extensive receiver Malik Nabers.
The Giants confirmed Wednesday that Nabers will put on No. 1 for the crew this season. That quantity has been retired since 1935 in honor of Corridor of Fame defensive finish Ray Flaherty, however Nabers and the Giants obtained permission from Flaherty’s household to put on the quantity.
“After interested by it just a little bit, my feeling was we might enable that provided that the Flaherty household was OK with it,” Giants co-owner John Mara told Steve Serby of the New York Post. “I feel it’s very gracious on their half, and Malik understands that that comes with a sure accountability and the way he must conduct himself and symbolize the group and the Flaherty household. He’s been nice about it, he instantly referred to as them to thank them.”
Nabers wore No. 8 at LSU, however quarterback Daniel Jones wears that quantity for the Giants. He wore No. 9 throughout coaching camp however was fascinated about switching to a special quantity, with No. 1 of specific curiosity to him. The Giants then facilitated the association with Flaherty’s son, Ray Flaherty Jr., who gave his approval.
“We kinda took a vote initially, and we didn’t know a lot about Malik,” Flaherty Jr. told the Post. “There is perhaps someone alive when my dad performed from that point space however they have been so small that they wouldn’t bear in mind. John Mara made a reasonably good level that it was form of a great way to get his title out once more.”
The Giants retired Flaherty’s quantity in 1935, making it the primary quantity to be retired by an expert soccer crew. The plan is to have the quantity return into retirement as soon as Nabers’ Giants profession ends, although the crew shall be hoping the No. 6 total decide performs properly sufficient to stay round for years to return.
Although Nabers has by no means worn No. 1 at any stage, it’s more and more in style on the NFL stage amongst star gamers like Jalen Hurts and Ja’Marr Chase. Nabers has already drawn some comparisons to Chase, so it’s doable that was a part of his motivation.