The hits just keep on coming for New York Giants rookie Abdul Carter as he continues his search for a number to wear in his first NFL season.
Carter, the Giants third overall pick, was denied the opportunity to wear No. 56 last week when the NFL legend who wore it before him turned down his request.
Now, he won’t be able to wear the same number he had in college after the family of another Giants legend said no.
The number 11 at Penn State is a heralded number that has been worn only five times since 1997. Notable wearers of that jersey in that period include LaVar Arrington, NaVorro Bowman, Micah Parsons, and Carter.
So after being denied No. 56, Carter considered wearing the No. 11 in the NFL as well.
But he hit a roadblock there too. No. 11 has also been retired in honor of former quarterback Phil Simms.
New York Giants rookie Abdul Carter had a second request for a retired number rejected
Parsons wore No. 11 at Penn State. After being rejected the No. 56, he pivoted to that number.
But No. 11 has been retired for Phil Simms – whose family didn’t want the number worn again
While Simms said that he’d be fine with Carter wearing the number, Simms’ family reportedly out-voted him.
It comes after Hall-of-Famer Lawrence Taylor denied the request to wear his retired No. 56.
That request was mocked on the ‘Dudes on Dudes’ podcast, hosted by former New England Patriots stars Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman.
The two Super Bowl winners were shocked that Carter would even consider asking for the number of the Giants legend.
‘Was he serious asking for LT’s number?,’ Gronkowski remarked. ‘Yeah, you were a high draft pick, but LT is an absolute legend.
‘The best to do it. One of the best defenders of all time. Like, you gotta prove yourself.
‘That’s crazy. Just asking for LT’s number. And I’m glad that LT shut him down like that.’
Edelman agreed: ‘That was such a LT response. “Go make your own freaking number, kid.”‘
Carter wanted to wear No. 56, which has been retired for Lawrence Taylor. Taylor said no.
Former Patriots stars Julian Edelman (L) and Rob Gronkowski (R) mocked Carter for asking
The receiver continued: ‘Can we read a room? And it’s not even the room, it’s the football galaxy. The fact that he even asked, that’s crazy to me. Maybe he’ll go make another one.
‘And people say, oh, the 11 thing. But they give everyone 11 at Penn State. No one ever puts on the 56.’
Carter joked about his predicament with a post to X: ‘Damn at this point imma be out there with just my last name on my jersey, no number.’
He added some laughing emojis before concluding, ‘Jkjk, It’s all Love. Just wanna play Football!’