Sarah Stier/Getty ImagesAfter receiving permission to wear the retired No. 1 jersey, Malik Nabers was seen sporting his new number for the first time on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters at his locker, Nabers touched on “how much trust” the organization and Ray Flaherty’s family have in him and he doesn’t feel any additional pressure because of it.
Art Stapleton @art_stapletonMalik Nabers on No. 1 pic.twitter.com/4mEKOwCU9I
Nabers had been wearing No. 9 throughout training camp and preseason, but that number belongs to kicker Graham Gano. His college No. 8 has been used by Daniel Jones since he entered the NFL in 2019.
New York decided to unretire the No. 1 for their rookie phenom following talks between Giants president John Mara and Ray Flaherty Jr., per Michael Eisen of the team’s official website.
The Giants retired the jersey in 1935 in honor of Flaherty. The former end spent his entire NFL career playing in New York, starting with the Yankees in 1927 and ’28 before the franchise folded prior to the 1929 season.
Flaherty went to the Giants for the final six seasons of his career. He led the NFL with 21 receptions, 350 receiving yards and five touchdowns during the 1932 season.
After ending his playing career following the 1935 season, Flaherty became the first player in NFL history to have his jersey retired.
New York Giants @GiantsWith permission from the family of Giants legend Ray Flaherty, Malik Nabers will wear No. 1.
Flaherty’s number was the first to be retired in Pro Football History. #Giants100 pic.twitter.com/9I5BKSkIVK
That’s a high bar for any player to clear. Nabers may not become that historically important for the Giants or NFL by the time his career comes to an end.
Expectations are sky-high for Nabers entering his first season. The 21-year-old became the highest-drafted wide receiver in Giants history when they used the sixth overall pick to select him.
It won’t take much for Nabers to be the Giants’ best pass-catcher in years. They haven’t had a receiver surpass 800 yards in a single season since Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard in 2018.
Source : Bleacher Report