New York Giants legend allows history to be rewritten for Malik Nabers before he takes a snap

The New York Giants just made a bombshell announcement. After consideration, Malik Nabers is changing jersey numbers.

Giants are unretiring No. 1 for Malik Nabers to wear it

The number one was the first professional football number to get retired in NFL history.

The number belonged to football legend Ray Flaherty. He was a Hall of Fame defensive end for the Giants during his playing days.

Nabers released a heartfelt statement regarding the Flaherty family's decision.

Thank you to the Flaherty family for allowing me to wear Number 1 for the New York Giants. 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. -- Nabers via Giants

This decision comes before Nabers takes a single regular season snap for New York. That's the factor that truly makes it a bit mind-boggling. The Giants organization and the Flaherty family clearly support Nabers in a major way. They absolutely believe in him as a special talent.

Nabers, the Giants’ No. 1 pick, wore 8 at LSU and switched to 9 in training camp. Before John Mara received the green light from the Flaherty family, made aware of all the retired single numbers (1, Tuffy Leemans’ 4 and Mel Hein’s 7) in Giants history, Nabers began exploring other options — Drew Lock’s No. 2 and Jamie Gillian’s No. 6 — but to no avail. -- Steve Serby, NY Post

There has not been a number one Giants jersey worn by a Giants player in nearly ninety years. Nabers will change that in 2024.

Related: Jets' Sauce Gardner has wild take about Giants rookie WR Malik Nabers' NFL potential