Abdul Carter denied No. 56 jersey by Lawrence Taylor

After being selected third overall by the New York Giants in the 2025 NFL Draft, Penn State's Abdul Carter expressed his desire to wear the iconic No. 56 jersey, famously retired in honor of Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor. Taylor, considered one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, firmly denied Carter's request, stating that the number should remain retired and encouraging Carter to make another number his own. Carter responded respectfully on social media, expressing admiration for Taylor and using the challenge as motivation to work even harder with the Giants. Despite the disappointment, Carter's reaction has been praised as classy, and he remains determined to establish his own legacy in New York. The episode highlights the significance of retired numbers in sports and the respect current players hold for the legends who preceded them.