Flaherty Family Unretires No. 1 for Giants Rookie WR Malik Nabers

Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers enters the NFL with some of the highest expectations for a Giants rookie in years. As an LSU alumnus, Nabers is already being compared to another Giants legend from LSU, Odell Beckham Jr., and fans are buzzing about the sixth overall pick. Up until this past weekend, one major question remained: what number would Nabers wear come Week 1? In a surprising turn of events, the Giants have unretired the historic No. 1 and granted Nabers the honor of wearing it.

The No. 1 jersey holds immense significance within the Giants organization. Ray Flaherty, the original Giant to wear the number, was the first player in NFL history to have his number retired. The Flaherty family made the extraordinary decision to unretire the number and bestow it upon Nabers. This honor was the result of discussions between Giants CEO John Mara and Ray Flaherty Jr., who ultimately agreed to grant the rookie this privilege.

With expectations already sky-high for Nabers, this gesture has only added to the pressure. Playing in New York comes with its own set of challenges, particularly from the city’s demanding media. However, if the Giants were going to unretire the number for anyone, Nabers seems like the right choice. Drafted sixth overall, he brings a level of playmaking ability that stands out on this year’s roster. His speed and athleticism are truly generational, and in another draft class, he might have been the first wide receiver off the board.

With his new number in place, Nabers and the Giants are gearing up for their Week 1 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. As the offense's top weapon, the rookie is expected to see a heavy workload and will be eager to make a lasting impression in his NFL debut. The No. 1 jersey hasn’t been worn in Big Blue for a long time, and on Sunday, New York’s next big star will aim to do it justice.