New York Giants unretire Ray Flaherty's No. 1 for Malik Nabers

Malik Nabers is making a big change to his jersey number as he will wear Ray Flaherty’s No. 1 for the New York Giants this season. Flaherty’s family gave the Giants and Nabers permission to wear the number.

“Thank you to the Flaherty family for allowing me to wear Number 1 for the New York Giants,” Nabers said in a statement. “I understand the responsibility, and I will do everything in my power to honor the Flaherty family and this organization. I will wear the number with great pride. Can’t wait for the season to start.”

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With permission from the family of Giants legend Ray Flaherty, Malik Nabers will wear No. 1.

Flaherty's number was the first to be retired in Pro Football History. #Giants100 pic.twitter.com/9I5BKSkIVK

— New York Giants (@Giants) August 28, 2024

Flaherty became the first professional football player to have his number retired in 1935. He played for the Giants in 1929 and again from 1931 to 1935. During his time with the Giants, Flaherty was named to the All-Pro Team five times, led the NFL in receptions, yards and touchdowns in 1932 and helped the Giants win the NFL championship in 1934. Flaherty was also a coach and led Washington to NFL titles in 1937 and 1942.

Malik Nabers details the process of getting No. 1 jersey

Nabers was selected by the Giants at No. 6 overall in this year’s draft. After joining the team, Nabers wore No. 6 after wearing No. 8 at LSU. However, Nabers began to look for other number options before getting the green light to wear No. 1.

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Number 𝟭 😮‍💨 🧼 pic.twitter.com/t26p77IGxR

— New York Giants (@Giants) August 28, 2024

“Only because it was gonna be pretty hard at trying to get the jersey unretired,” Nabers told the New York Post. He then said, “It was just a wait of a process to see what the family was gonna say.” 

Nabers asked Giants general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Dabol if he could switch his number. “After thinking about it a little bit, my feeling was we would allow that only if the Flaherty family was OK with it,” Giants owner John Mara told the New York Post. “I think it’s very gracious on their part, and Malik understands that that comes with a certain responsibility and how he needs to conduct himself and represent the organization and the Flaherty family. He’s been great about it, he immediately called them to thank them.” 

Fans can see Nabers wear the No. 1 jersey when the Giants take on the Minnesota Vikings in the season opener on Sunday, Sept. 8.