Posted on Aug 29
Giants rookie Malik Nabers expresses gratitude to wear No. 1 jersey: "A great honor"
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The New York Giants have chosen to unretire the No. 1 jersey for rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, with permission from the family of the late Ray Flaherty.
Why it matters: The decision to bring back the No. 1 jersey holds historical significance as it was the first number retired in professional football history.
What's new: Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers will don the iconic No. 1 jersey for the Giants, following approval from the Flaherty family.
Yes, but: Nabers initially wore No. 8 at LSU, but that number is occupied by Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. He briefly switched to No. 9, only to change again due to veteran kicker Graham Gano already wearing it.
What to watch: Fans will be eager to see how Nabers embraces the responsibility of wearing the legendary No. 1 jersey and honoring the legacy of Ray Flaherty.
Ray Flaherty, who played for the Giants in the 1920s and 1930s, was known for his contributions to the game. He introduced innovations such as the behind-the-line screen pass and the two-platoon substitution system.
By the numbers: Flaherty's impact on the sport was recognized when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976.
Malik Nabers expressed his gratitude to the Flaherty family for granting him the opportunity to wear the esteemed No. 1 jersey.
- Nabers emphasized his commitment to honoring both the Flaherty family and the Giants organization.
In a statement, Nabers said, "Thank you to the Flaherty family for allowing me to wear Number 1 for the New York Giants. I understand the responsibility, and I will do everything in my power to honor the Flaherty family and this organization. I will wear the number with great pride. Can't wait for the season to start."
The bottom line: The return of the No. 1 jersey signifies a tribute to football history and recognizes the importance of preserving the legacies of influential players like Ray Flaherty.
- Nabers now carries the weight of upholding the honor and tradition associated with the No. 1 jersey in Giants' lore.