'No Pressure!' Nabers Reacts to Giants Unretiring No. 1

The hype surrounding New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers has been palpable since the moment he was drafted.

But after the Giants infringed upon their own traditions to give him a jersey number no player has worn in nearly a century, the general impression is that Nabers is a special player getting special treatment.

The quandary of Nabers’ jersey number had persisted all summer and saw a plot twice in its final act on Wednesday. He wouldn’t wear kicker Graham Gano’s No. 9 or Drew Lock’s No. 2. Instead, with the family’s permission, Nabers got the nod to wear Ray Flaherty’s No. 1 – the first retired number in NFL history.

After practice on Thursday, Nabers spoke about the honor bestowed upon him.

“It shows how much trust they got in me,” he said, via Charlotte Carroll . “It shows how much they really are going to bat for me. They say it’s a lot of pressure but I don’t really feel no pressure.”

Nabers made sure to immediately call Ray Flaherty Jr. to get in touch and thank him for temporarily unretiring his number. Flaherty, a first-team All-Pro seven times over and an NFL champion, now has his legacy tied to a special prospect paving the path to his own stardom.

The Giants wouldn’t pull out the stops for just anyone.

“I’ve had pressure my whole life, made it out of a lot of situations with pressure,” Nabers said. “I feel like I like pressure, so I’m happy that it’s on me. If a lot of people put pressure on me, that’s good.”

Needless to say, the spotlight was made a little brighter on the No. 6 pick. Failing to live up to expectations after receiving such a privilege would only add insult to injury – and criticism for the Giants for tainting what was once sacred.

But Nabers and New York went about this the right way, got permission, and now will have the chance to make good on their promise.

Related: Giants Unretire Number for Nabers' Jersey Reveal

“I understand the responsibility, and I will do everything in my power to honor the Flaherty family and this organization,” Nabers said in a statement . “I will wear this number with great pride.”

No. 1 will hit MetLife Stadium, both on the field and throughout the stands, on Sept. 8 against the Minnesota Vikings.