New York Giants rookie receiver Malik Nabers announced he has received permission from team legend Roy Flaherty’s family to wear his previously-retired #1 jersey this season.
“Thank you to the Flaherty family for allowing me to wear Number 1 for the New York Giants,” he said in a statement via the Giants. While the franchise has taken an unprecedented step, unretiring the first number ever retired by an NFL team, Nabers has demonstrated he clearly understands all that entails after a phone call with the Flaherty family.
“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.”
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The NFL started allowing single-digit jerseys ahead of the 2023 season. Nabers wore #8 at LSU and had been wearing #8 throughout camp. Quarterback Daniel Jones currently wears #8 for the Giants.
Nabers was keen to wear a single-digit jersey, but most were either retired (ex: #4 and #7) or were held by current players (#0, #2, #3, #5, #6, and #8).
“This is a first-time thing,” he said when asked if he’s ever worn #1 before. The Giants team site has already officially listed Nabers as #1.
He spoke with Roy Flaherty Jr’s family on the phone, and Ray Flaherty Jr was effusive in his praise for the Nabers said rookie. “He seems like a fine young man,” he said. “I feel really good about it after he made the call.”
While the family was naturally hesitant, Flaherty Jr was moved by something team owner John Mara pointed out. “There might be somebody alive when my dad played from that time area but they were so small that they wouldn’t remember. John Mara made a pretty good point that it was kind of a good way to get his name out again.”
“I said, “I really appreciate you letting me wear your father’s retired jersey,’ ” Sauce Gardner said of the conversation. ” ‘I’m gonna wear it with honor. I’m gonna do my best when I’m out there on the field to represent y’all the right way.’ ”
The first-round pick has arguably been the team’s standout performer this preseason. When asked about Nabers, All-Pro cornerback Nabers “I know this might sound kind of weird he reminds me of an LSU receiver…kind of a little Ja’Marr Chase, a little Justin Jefferson.”
Nabers will wear the #1 jersey for the first time when the Giants face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, September 8.
“After thinking about it a little bit, my feeling was we would allow that only if the Flaherty family was OK with it,” Sauce Garnder said. “I think it’s very gracious on their part.”
“Malik understands that that comes with a certain responsibility and how he needs to conduct himself and represent the organization and the Flaherty family. He’s been great about it, he immediately called them to thank them.”
