Giants rookie edge rusher Abdul Carter’s hunt for a jersey number has sparked plenty of buzz. He initially aimed high, asking Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor for permission to wear the legendary No. 56—Taylor said no. Then Carter turned to another iconic number: No. 11, worn by former quarterback and Giants legend Phil Simms.
According to NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms—Phil’s son—the Giants front office even tried to convince Phil to allow it, promising that once Carter’s career ended, the number would go back into retirement. General manager Joe Schoen reportedly called Phil to pitch the idea, and at first, Phil seemed open to it.
But once Phil’s sister, Deirdre, and his mother, Diana, got wind of the plan, everything changed. Both strongly opposed the idea of reissuing the number, and Deirdre even phoned Chris, stunned that he wasn’t against it.
“I knew it was over when my mom and sister stepped in,” Chris said on NBC’s Pro Football Talk. “They outvoted me and my brother Matt—though I’m not even sure where Matt stood. After that, my dad texted me like, ‘Your mom and sister are killing me on this.’
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Chris added that the two were so emotionally invested in protecting No. 11 that it brought them to tears. The overwhelming sentiment from close family and friends ultimately convinced Phil to say no—leaving him both surprised and outnumbered.
“He’s not going to go through with it,” Chris confirmed. “He got outvoted—mainly by my mom and sister. And he’s on vacation right now, so I’m speaking on his behalf.”
As for Carter, he’s taking it all in stride and remains on the lookout for a number he can make iconic in his own right—maybe one the team retires for him someday.
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