The New York Giants have taken an unprecedented step to accommodate rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, marking a significant departure from tradition.
On Wednesday, the Giants announced that Nabers will don the No. 1 jersey for the upcoming season. This decision is particularly noteworthy as the number has been retired since 1935 to honor Ray Flaherty, a Hall of Fame defensive end who made a lasting impact on the franchise. The Giants, in an extraordinary move, sought and received permission from Flaherty’s family to bring the number out of retirement for Nabers.
Giants co-owner John Mara explained the thought process behind this rare exception. “Initially, we were only willing to consider it if the Flaherty family was comfortable with the idea,” Mara told Steve Serby of the New York Post. “The family’s graciousness in allowing Malik to wear the number is remarkable, and Malik understands the weight of this responsibility. He knows that wearing this number comes with an expectation to uphold the legacy of both the organization and the Flaherty family. He’s already shown his appreciation by personally reaching out to thank them.”
Nabers, who wore No. 8 during his standout college career at LSU, found his preferred number already taken by Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. During training camp, he sported No. 9 but expressed a desire to switch to No. 1, a number he felt strongly about. The Giants worked closely with Ray Flaherty Jr., the son of the late Ray Flaherty, to secure the family’s approval for this special arrangement.
“We weren’t sure at first because we didn’t know much about Malik,” Ray Flaherty Jr. told the Post. “But after discussing it, we realized this could be a meaningful way to bring my father’s name back into the spotlight. John Mara’s reasoning made sense, and it’s a nice tribute to his legacy.”
The decision to retire Flaherty’s number back in 1935 was a pioneering move, making it the first number ever retired by a professional football team. The Giants have made it clear that once Nabers’ career with the team concludes, the No. 1 jersey will be returned to its retired status. However, the organization is hopeful that the young wide receiver, who was the No. 6 overall pick, will have a long and successful tenure with the team, making the most of this historic opportunity.
Although Nabers has never worn the No. 1 jersey before, the number has become increasingly popular among NFL stars like Jalen Hurts and Ja’Marr Chase.
Nabers, who has drawn early comparisons to Chase, may see this as a chance to establish his own legacy with a number that has come to symbolize excellence in the league.
