Abdul Carter’s Jersey Number is the Beginning of the END for Retired Numbers

The New York Giants’ newest linebacker, Abdul Carter, is set to wear No. 51 after being denied his top two jersey choices—No. 11 and the iconic No. 56. While the debate over Carter’s request has stirred controversy, it’s also highlighted a broader shift in public sentiment: fans are increasingly questioning whether retiring jersey numbers still makes sense in today’s NFL.

Carter, who wore No. 11 at Penn State, also hoped to don No. 56—a number immortalized by Giants legend Lawrence Taylor. But both numbers are off-limits in New York, prompting Carter to settle for No. 51, a choice many now see as a clever compromise. Not only does it fall symbolically between 11 and 56, but it also fits his position and maintains a clean, classic look.

The situation sparked heated discussion on sports talk shows and social media. Some fans and analysts sided with tradition, arguing rookies shouldn’t even consider asking for retired numbers. Others called the practice outdated and overly sentimental, pointing out that the NFL’s growing rosters and positional number restrictions are making it harder to maintain such long-term number bans. One common refrain: “Retired numbers are ridiculous… just honor the legacy in other ways.”

Comments ranged from dismissive—“It’s just a number”—to philosophical. One fan even speculated that Carter’s affinity for certain numbers might stem from numerology, noting that both 11 (1+1) and 56 (5+6) reduce to the number 2—his birthdate.

The Carter case, along with other recent high-profile jersey number debates—like the Giants allowing rookie WR Malik Nabers to wear No. 1—has ignited a larger conversation around how teams honor legends. With some fans calling to “unretire all numbers,” and others suggesting limited retirement windows (e.g. 25 years), it’s clear that the league and its followers may be entering a new era of thinking.

Ultimately, Abdul Carter may have done more than choose a number—he may have sparked the beginning of the end for permanent number retirements in pro football.