The New York Giants are reactivating their first retired number for spectacular rookie receiver Malik Nabers. Nabers will be the first Giant to wear No. 1 since the late Hall of Fame defensive end Ray Flaherty, who became the first professional football player to retire his number in 1935.
Flaherty’s family agreed to the move to retire the number one jersey. They understood the importance of giving the number to such a talented young player as Malik Nabers. The Giants administration believes that their first-round pick, Nabers, embodies the qualities Flaherty possessed.
Nabers had worn No. 9 since his election, but the LSU graduate needs a new number because punter Graham Gano wears No. 9. He wore No. 8 at LSU, but it belongs to quarterback Daniel Jones. While looking for a new jersey number, No. 1 piqued his interest, prompting him to ask Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen if it was feasible.
John Mara was later informed of this request. Mara knew the history of the New York Giants and Flaherty’s importance to the club and therefore refused to reinstate the number without the consent of Flaherty’s family members.
The sixth overall pick in this year’s draft then received permission from Ray Flaherty’s family to wear the number. According to Flaherty’s son Ray Flaherty Jr., it took some time to convince the whole family:
Flahtery Jr. explained: “There were several factors, one of which was perhaps the most important. I consulted my family. I have two sons and a daughter. And of course, this is her grandfather. My daughter was not too keen at first. And it was she who came to her senses. Finally, she added, ‘This might bring him luck.’ Number one might be a nice number for him. She gave in. We believed that was the right thing to do.”
Although the Flaherty family initially expressed concerns about the matter, they ultimately decided to let Nabers wear the jersey number, believing it would bring him luck during his tenure with the organization. Not to mention that the No. 1 will be retired again after Nabers’ career with the Giants is over.
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Malik Nabers wore the number, emphasizing his gratitude and dedication to preserving Ray Flaherty’s legacy. He stated, “It is a tremendous privilege to wear this jersey. I am aware of the history and responsibility that comes with it. I will do my best to make the Giants and Ray Flaherty’s family proud.”
This move is notable in the team’s history, as the number had previously been retired in honor of Ray Flaherty, a Hall of Fame player and coach. Ray Flaherty was a star with the Giants in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Flaherty, known for his great skill and leadership on the field, made significant contributions to the club.
Flaherty was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1976. He played for the Giants from 1928-29 and 1931-35, helping the team reach the NFL Championship Game in 1933, 1934 and 1935. Flaherty, who pioneered the screen pass, had a coaching record of 80-37-5 with the Boston, Washington, New York Yankees and Chicago Hornets. He won two titles with Washington and died in 1994.
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